Top 10 Utah high school girls volleyball teams to watch

Many defending Utah state girls volleyball champions are in position to repeat and other traditional powers appear to have enough talent and experience to dethrone the champs.

Expect to see these 10 teams in the 2014 state title mix in various classifications.


Pleasant Grove
Can the Vikings take home a third consecutive Class 5A championship? The odds are favorable. Bailey Nixon has already made a name for herself at outside hitter. The junior will be counted to step up and lead a talented group that also includes seniors Alexus Sharp and Brooklynn Bodily and junior setter Jeniel Biggs.

Bingham (South Jordan)
The Miners gave Pleasant Grove all it could handle in a 3-1 loss in the 2013 Class 5A title match and is equipped to do so again in 2014. Torre Glasker is a disruptive force as an outside hitter. Megan Boudreaux is a rock at middle blocker. Both players are committed to play for the University of Utah.

Timpview (Provo)
Four key starters are back for the defending Class 4A champions -- making them an early state title favorite again. Twin sisters Lacy Haddock and Lyndie Haddock are both three-year starters and power the T-Birds' potent offense. Both Haddock sisters are committed to play for BYU. They are joined by fellow returning starters Maliyah Tela and Annie Hofheins. Tela and Lacy Haddock are both superb setters and give Timpview great depth at that position.

Skyline (Salt Lake City)
The Eagles are already off to blazing start after winning the annual Utah Tournament of Champions, taking the title by winning eight matches in two days. Senior setter Helena Wolff is a dangerous play-maker who knows how to give opposing teams plenty of problems with her offensive skills.
 
Northridge (Layton)
If a Class 5A sleeper exists who could make a deep state tournament run in 2014, the Knights fit the description. The Knights posted an 8-1 record to win the Round Table Rumble last month and look like Region 1's toughest team. Twin sisters Kira Smalls and Keana Smalls are a major reason for it. Kira is a force at setter and Keana is a dangerous player at outside hitter. Both are only juniors, so Northridge could be even tougher a year from now.

Morgan
The Trojans have made a strong early season statement to claim the school's 16th state title. They bring an unblemished record into region play, despite playing a slew of good Class 5A and 4A teams. Jaiden Farr has made her mark as a ferocious outside hitter who has a knack for getting tons of kills. Farr tallied 24 kills alone in a recent win over Lone Peak.

Springville
One of Timpview's stiffest challengers could come from its own region. Springville has won 11 of its first 12 matches this season – with the lone loss coming at the hands of Skyline in the Utah Tournament of Champions final. The Red Devils have a tough middle blocker in senior Emma Israelsen who helps set a dominant tone offensively.

Hurricane
The Tigers are the defending Class 3A champions and have plenty of tools to make another run to the title. Addie Edwards totaled 101 aces last season and the senior setter is back leading the Hurricane attack in 2014. Hannah Rich and Rachel Nielsen are also formidable returning starters. Hurricane's only loss to a Utah opponent is a setback to two-time Class 5A champion Pleasant Grove.

Lone Peak (Highland)
The Knights are another Class 5A sleeper team largely because of the talents of Emily Lewis. The Knights' outside hitter and middle blocker always seems to find a way to dominate. Lewis can spark runs and rallies with her nose for the ball. With her and other talented players like Jaysa Funk and Makaila Jarema, Lone Peak should be able to avoid another first round upset in 2014.

San Juan (Blanding)
The Broncos are a traditional volleyball power in the Class 2A ranks and appear in good shape to contend for their 12th state title in the past two decades. Tatiana Su'e Su'e is a one of the top outside hitters in Class 2A and has a strong serve. Jade Palmer made the move back to libero as a senior, which has helped shore up the Broncos' defense.

John Coon covers Utah high school sports for MaxPreps. You can contact him at john_coon@hotmail.com or follow him on Twitter at @johncoonsports.