High school volleyball: Morgan sweeps 4A's Skyline

SALT LAKE CITY — Taking on powerhouse programs from larger classifications might intimidate some 3A teams.

The Morgan Trojans would not be one of those teams.

"It's not (intimidating) for us," said senior middle hitter Bailey Farris after Morgan, which is 3A's top-ranked team, swept Skyline, 4A's No. 1 squad, 25-15, 25-23, 25-18. "A chance to beat a 4A or 5A team, I think it's awesome. Some people look forward to playing club, but I look forward to playing high school."

Part of the reason Farris would rather be playing prep volleyball is that she plays for one of the state's best programs — in any classification.

"In Morgan, we don't lose," she said. "The players, the coaches, I love playing for them."

Farris had a great night as she led the Trojan offense with 15 kills. She was also outstanding defensively with 11 digs and six blocks. Chassidy Lish added nine kills and seven digs, while Jaaesee Dye finished with six digs.

"It's exciting for us," said Ashlee Gallen. "Bigger guns, better games."

Morgan head coach Liz Wiscombe said this week was exciting for the team, which faces 5A's fourth-ranked Lone Peak on Thursday night.

"This is our tough week," said Wiscombe. "We like it. It shows us what we're made of."

She said having a leader like Farris is a big advantage going into next week's 3A tournament.

"She's so mentally tough," said Wiscombe. "She's one of those types of players who doesn't come along very often. She has the size, she has the heart, she has the smarts and the ability. It's because of kids like Bailey that you stay in coaching."

The Eagles struggled the first set, but nearly won the second. Behind the powerful hitting of Nicol Powell, who finished with nine kills, 15 digs and two blocks, as well as Madison Hunt's seven kills, 11 digs and three blocks, the Eagles made the Trojans work for the win. Elise Noorda finished with 13 assists and four digs, while Anisa Mughal had seven blocks.

Morgan head coach Liz Wiscombe said one of the highlights of her career when she was young was facing Skyline, a perennial power, in a tournament in the late 1980s.

She said she was so excited that the 3A Trojans might upset 5A's Skyline that she told her players she would shave her head if they pulled off the win. The Trojans won the match, but Wiscombe said she couldn't bring herself to shave her head.