OREM — The 2015 Utah State 3A Volleyball Tournament is Wednesday and Thursday at the UCCU Center at Utah Valley University.

Snow Canyon is the defending state champion, bringing both experience and talent to the tourney. The Warriors won the ultra-competitive Region 9, going undefeated in 10 region matches and are one of the favorites to win the state tournament. Desert Hills lost just two region matches — both to Snow Canyon — and should be very good as well.

Morgan is likely the biggest threat to the Warriors and the Thunder. The undefeated Lady Trojans defeated Desert Hills in the semifinals last season and took Snow Canyon to five games in the championship (though SC won that last game 15-1). Morgan won Region 11 with an 8-0 record.

Union made it to the quarterfinals last season and won Region 10 with an 8-0 record. North Sanpete was also a quarterfinalist a year ago and took Region 12 at 8-0.

Below is a preview for Wednesday night’s first round and probable second round matches.

MATCH 1 – Logan v. Tooele, 4:00 p.m., Ct 1

Logan Grizzlies
Coach: Jennie Rudder
Overall Record: 11-3
Region 11 Record: 6-2 (2nd)
Record against the field: 5-2
Current Ranking: 7th

Tooele Buffaloes
Coach Kristi Brown
Overall Record: 12-15
Region 10 Record: 4-4 (3rd)
Record against the field: 3-6
Current Ranking: 11th

There is a huge disparity in games played by these two teams. This will be the first meeting between the two teams but against common opponents Logan fared far better. PICK: Logan

MATCH 2 – North Sanpete v. Pine View, 4:00 p.m., Ct 2

North Sanpete Hawks (Mt. Pleasant)
Coach: Rickie Stewart
Overall Record: 26-3
Region 12 Record: 8-0 (1st)
Record against the field: 8-0
Current Ranking: 4th

Pine View Panthers (St. George)
Coach: Kelly Murdock
Overall Record: 18-12
Region 9 Record: 5-5
Record against the field: 4-6
Current Ranking: 6th

This will be the best first round matchup. That is usually not the case in 1-4 seed contest, but Pine View tied for third in Region 9. Pine View is definitely the best four seed, and probably better than most of the 2nd and 3rd seeds. These teams have not met this year, but the Hawks should prevail. PICK: North Sanpete

MATCH 3 – Snow Canyon v Canyon View, 4:00 p.m., Ct 3

Snow Canyon Warriors (St. George)
Coach: Alaina Parker
Overall Record: 14-2
Region 9 Record: 10-0 (1st)
Record against the field: 7-1
Current Ranking: 2nd

Canyon View Falcons (Cedar City)
Coach: Cristy Crane
Overall Record: 5-16
Region 12 Record: 1-7 (4th)
Record against the field: 0-7
Current Ranking: 18th

This match should go in straight sets. Snow Canyon not only went undefeated in Region 9, but dropped only one set (to Desert Hills) against region competition. This will be the first meeting between the two teams. PICK: Snow Canyon

MATCH 4 – Stansbury v Juan Diego, 4:00 p.m., Ct 4

Stansbury Stallions (Tooele)
Coach: Melissa Flint
Overall Record: 19-13
Region 10 Record: 5-3 (2nd)
Record against the field: 4-5
Current Ranking: 13th

Juan Diego Soaring Eagles (Draper)
Coach: Stephanie Jones
Overall Record: 13-14
Region 11 Record: 3-5 (3rd)
Record against the field: 3-8
Current Ranking: 12th

These teams are pretty evenly-ranked, but Stansbury beat Juan Diego in straight sets earlier this year. The prize for winning is a second-round meeting with Snow Canyon. PICK: Stansbury

MATCH 5 – Desert Hills v. Richfield, 5:30 p.m., Ct 1

Desert Hills Thunder (St. George)
Coach: Jill Swaney
Overall Record: 11-3
Region 9 Record: 8-2 (2nd)
Record against the field: 7-2
Current Ranking: 3rd

Richfield Wildcats
Coach: Holly Robison
Overall Record: 16-11
Region 12 Record: 4-4 (3rd)
Record against the field: 3-8
Current Ranking: 10th

This should be another match in straight sets. The Thunder only lost to two teams this year. Powerhouse Region 9 foe Snow Canyon (twice) and 5A ranked Bingham are the only two schools to beat them. PICK: Desert Hills

MATCH 6 – Union v. Bear River, 5:30 p.m., Ct 2

Union Cougars (Roosevelt)
Coach: Analaine Mailoto
Overall Record: 23-7
Region 10 Record: 8-0 (1st)
Record against the field: 8-2
Current Ranking: 5th

Bear River Bears (Garland)
Coach: Alyssa Jensen
Overall Record: 4-8
Region 11 Record: 3-5 (4th)
Record against the field: 1-6
Current Ranking: 17th

The Cougars have the second longest winning streak at 16 games. These two teams have not met, but the edge in common opponents is squarely in Union’s favor. PICK: Union

MATCH 7 – Morgan v. Park City, 5:30 p.m., Ct 3

Morgan Trojans
Coach: Liz Wiscombe
Overall Record: 28-0
Region 11 Record: 8-0 (1st)
Record against the field: 8-0
Current Ranking: 1st

Park City Miners
Coach: Matthew Carlson
Overall: 8-19
Region 10 Record: 3-5 (4th)
Record against the field: 2-11
Current Ranking: 15th

The Trojans have dominated from start to finish this season, including a win against Snow Canyon. Along with a 28-0 record, they have compiled a set record of 70-3. Their three set losses have come against 5A schools. Barring injury, Morgan could run the table. PICK: Morgan

MATCH 8 – Carbon v. Dixie, 5:30 p.m., Ct 4

Carbon Dinos (Price)
Coach: Cristen Johnson
Overall: 16-7
Region 12 Record: 6-2 (2nd)
Record against the field: 7-4
Current Ranking: 9th

Dixie Flyers (St. George)
Coach: Stacey Leavitt
Overall Record: 10-11
Region 9 Record: 5-5 (3rd)
Record against the field: 3-8
Current Ranking: 8th

This game is the toughest one to call. The records favor Carbon, but Dixie’s strength of schedule is higher. It is a coin toss. Which team will come to play? PICK: Carbon

Second Round Matchups (Wednesday):

WINNERS BRACKET

MATCH 9 – Logan v. North Sanpete, 7:00 p.m., Ct 3
PICK: North Sanpete

MATCH 10 – Snow Canyon v. Stansbury, 7:00 p.m., Ct 2
PICK: Snow Canyon

MATCH 11 – Desert Hills v. Union, 8:30 p.m., Ct 3
PICK: Desert Hills

MATCH 12 – Morgan v. Carbon, 8:30 p.m., Ct 2
PICK: Morgan

LOSERS BRACKET

MATCH 13 – Tooele v. Pine View, 7:00 p.m., Ct 4
PICK: Pine View

MATCH 14 – Canyon View v. Juan Diego, 7:00 p.m., Ct 1
PICK: Juan Diego

MATCH 15 – Richfield v. Bear River, 8:30 p.m., Ct 4
PICK: Richfield

MATCH 16 – Park City v. Dixie, 8:30 p.m., Ct 1
PICK: Dixie

That would set up Semifinal matches with Snow Canyon facing North Sanpete and Desert Hills facing Morgan. The semis are scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Thursday (simultaneously, on different courts) and the 3A championship match is Thursday at 5 p.m.

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