Morgan voted No. 1 again in girls volleyball

While most Region 10 coaches voted Morgan the No. 1 volleyball team again this year, there were rumblings that this season might be the end of the Trojans' stranglehold on the region title.

So far, however, the reigning 3A champions are continuing their dominance in the classification.

The Trojans return solid senior athletes like Dani Evans, outside hitter; Chelsey Garfield, middle blocker; Kambria Kinsey, libero; Carolyn Johnson, outside hitter and Amy Wright, middle blocker. The Trojans won their first two region games and have done well in tournaments that pit them against larger schools.

The region boasts some talented athletes on every squad, so it will be interesting to see which Region 10 team can find a way to beat the Trojans and maybe contend for the title.

Bulldog coach Taryn Horner is in her second season at Judge, and she hopes her squad is ready to compete for that title.

"So far we've been playing really well," she said. "We look forward to playing a higher level team. I don't know what is going to happen in region, but I think we're right up there, too. All of the teams are really equal."

The Bulldogs return a pair of seniors that will be both emotional and statistical leaders. Maggie Holden, who played opposite hitter last year will move to the outside, and Julie Freed will return as the other outside hitter. The team lost Junior Lauren Deane, who transferred to Park City this summer.

Judge's offense will be run by Kallie McKown, who is just a freshman but also plays a lot of club volleyball.

"She will be key in how our team plays," said Horner.

The teams in Region 10 have gotten better each year, she said, and this year should be no exception.

The Union Cougars were voted the No. 2 team in preseason polls, although they lost their first two region games to Morgan and then Wasatch.

"I always think our region is pretty tough," said coach Kim Murray. "We played a tough pre-season schedule ... and I think we can hold our own."

Union returns senior Christine Morrill, an outside hitter who has committed to Utah State University as a libero; senior middle blocker Breanna Todd; senior setter Jill Hicken and senior outside hitter Kristi Wilkins.

Park City returns a solid group of athletes and should play well, despite losing their head coach just before the season started. Kelly Barber, senior middle blocker, and Aundrea Hargroder, a setter, should lead a talented, but young lineup for the Miners.

Region 10 preseason volleyball rankings

1. Morgan

2. Union

3. Wasatch

4. Park City

5. Judge

6. Uintah

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E-mail: adonaldson@desnews.com