The quality of 1A teams this year is probably the best it's ever been.

There is more parity among the teams and a number of teams are capable of competing against schools from larger classifications.

And while some of that might be due to some talented athletes, a good portion of that is the development of quality programs.

"I give a lot of credit to Rich," said Bobcat head coach Troy Norris. "Everybody has worked really hard to get to where they are. Us and Piute played club volleyball the last two years."

That experience has taken the level of 1A volleyball from mediocre to on a par with most 4A and 5A schools. It has certainly made the tournament more competitive.

Panguitch is ranked No. 1 with Piute holding the No. 2 spot.

The Bobcats will rely on junior outside hitter Kalani Norris and outside hitter Brianne Bateman. Key to the team's success, however, is moving senior Shelby Taylor from hitter to libero.

"She's doing just awesome," Norris said. "She digs up everything. She doesn't just get the ball up, she puts it up where we can get it to our hitters."

Piute also has some talented hitters in Amanda Bagley and Kandice Gleave and Shelby Millett.

Third-ranked Monticello is another tough squad, while defending champions, Rich, is ranked fourth. The Buckaroos rely on Bryanna Kershaw, Mersades Slade, Swayzi Slade and Samara Wells, while the Rebels will be led by Nicole Lamborn, a junior; Courtney Lamborn, a sophomore; Maud Peart, a senior and Cassie Weston, the team's libero.

Panguitch opens with either Merdian or Manila, while Rich, also in the lower bracket, will take on Salt Lake Lutheran or Wayne.

Probably the most exciting game of the first round is Piute vs. St. Joseph. Altamont, which could be one of the tournament's surprises, faces either ICS or Valley on Friday. Monticello takes on Duchesne, a team that beat Rich earlier this year, or Tintic in the first round.

Norris said he doesn't look forward to the pressure that comes with being ranked No. 1, but he's happy the team is enjoying success.

"I'd rather not be (the favorite)," he said. "But it's nice to be laying the level of volleyball we're playing. It's nice to be able to compete against anybody, not just 1A teams."

e-mail: adonaldson@desnews.com

1A tournament

Games begin Friday at UVU

Upper bracket

Altamont/West Ridge vs. ICS/Valley, 8 a.m.

Dugway vs. Bryce Valley/Green River, 9:30 a.m.

Monticello vs. Duchesne/Tintic, 9:30 a.m.

St. Joseph vs. Piute, 8 a.m.

Lower bracket

Panguitch vs. Meridian/Manila, 11 a.m.

Christian Heritage vs. Monument Valley/Wendover, 12:30 p.m.

Rich vs. SL Lutheran/Wayne, 12:30 p.m.

Wasatch Academy/Milford vs. Whitehorse/Oakley, 11 a.m.

*Winners and losers play again later in the day.