For the fourth season in a row the biggest targets reside on the backs of those teams from the newly formed Region 4. A team from that region has walked away with a state championship in each of the past seven years, and people around the state are expecting the same yet again.

This year's 5A crowd is even more crowded than ever with highly-touted teams, and while many of them have been planted in Region 4, the other 5A regions also have some tough nuts to throw into the mix.

Though Lone Peak once again found its way to the top of the preseason volleyball rankings with Pleasant Grove and Brighton not too far behind, Bingham has also been making plenty of noise this season and could prove itself to be some stiff competition to the perennial favorites.

Along with Bingham in Region 3 comes Taylorsville, which also usually finds itself in the mix at the state tourney.

Region 2 will be led by a Hunter team that was young last year and picked up some much-needed experience, which should help them finish matches. Skyline is also in the mix in the tough region and will be battled by a pair of tough newcomers from the 4A ranks in Cottonwood and Murray, two teams that are always high finishers in the state competition.

Region 1 is supposed to be led by the Layton Lancers, who despite losing their superstar to BYU, are looking strong and could put up some stiff competition to the rest of the state. Fremont, Syracuse and Davis are also looking strong in the preseason.

But though strength resides throughout the 5A ranks, once again most eyes will be on the teams now in Region 4, starting off with four-time state champion Lone Peak, which will be trying to take home the title for the fifth time in seven years.

"I think we're going to be in the mix at the end of the season. I think we're going to be strong again," said Lone Peak coach Deanna Meyer of her once again reloaded squad.

Ashlan Rogers and Whitney Johnson both come in highly improved this season after good years last year. Chloe and Coralie Jarema are also ready to play, and the setter is Pianola "Nar Nar" Finau, who has high expectations placed upon her by her coach.

"We have solid volleyball players. We can run 10 deep without the level of play dropping," said Meyer, who noted that depth is so important to a winning volleyball program.

Meyer is also looking forward to this season and the tough in-region battles that should ensue as the top two teams, three of the top five and four of the top 17 are all Region 4 foes.