Morgan volleyball coach Liz Wiscombe is used to high expectations when it comes to the Trojan program.

But she was surprised her squad was voted No. 1 in a preseason poll of coaches.

"We're reloading," she said with a smile. The level of competition has steadily increased in 3A, and this year that is more evident than ever. Unlike past seasons, no team will go undefeated en route to the state tournament.

"I'm really excited about where we are," she said after the team's first tournament at Lone Peak High. "I'm really excited for these kids. It's a good mix of offense and defense ... but we're pretty young at lots of spots, so it's exciting."

Morgan has four seniors, outside hitter Chelsey Garfield, middle hitter Kelsey Rees, outside hitter Carolyn Johnson and McKenzie Creager. The team has another outstanding libero in Mikelle Kap, a junior, and Richelle Visage, Karly Prescott, Anne Robinson and Cambree Mellott add depth to the program.

While Morgan is nearly always in the top 5, Hurricane is new to this kind of preseason expectation.

The Tigers were voted No. 2, which shocked coach Daniel McKeehan.

"I don't know that we're that good," he said. "It really surprises me that the coaches would vote that way."

He looks around at teams like Morgan, North Sanpete, Carbon, Waterford and Park City and understands that there are a lot of teams with the potential to take home that gold trophy this year.

The Tigers have a talented lineup starting with junior setter Megan Clyde, who may miss some nonregion games with a sore knee.

"She's a stud," he said. "There's no other word to describe her."

Clyde will be distributing the ball among a number of athletic hitters, including outside hitters Natalie Hoyt, a senior, and Kara Cotter, a sophomore. In the middle, the Tigers will rely on senior Keshia Jim and freshman Kalistinia Takau, who touches 9-6 at the net. Jordan Ha is playing libero for the team, while Brittany Campbell and Tia Beatty, both seniors, will be sharing duties at opposite hitter.

"They're just great kids, and so far, they just aren't making stupid mistakes," Mckeehan said. "Last year, we felt that really hurt us. But this year we're playing smarter and playing better."

Hurricane benefits from the region 9 split this season, which took the area's three larger schools and put them in the 4A division. The Tigers, however, get the benefit of still playing them in region games that won't hurt their ability to qualify for state.

Carbon may have a new coaching staff but returns a lot of experience and has a solid program each year.