OREM — Most teenagers make big plans to goof around on Halloween.

Amanda Bagley and the Piute T-birds are hoping to be as serious as it gets in high school sports and earn a spot in the 1A state championship match.

"I'd rather be playing for a state championship than trick-or-treating any day," said Bagley, who led the T-birds to a second-round sweep of Monticello, 25-19, 25-20, 25-21.

Bagley, a middle hitter, and junior outside Kandice Gleave led the team's offense with 15 kills each. Senior Shelby Millett, the other outside hitter, added eight kills in the win that allows second-ranked Piute to move on in the championship bracket. The T-birds will face Altamont in the 1A semifinal match at 10:30 a.m. today at UVU's McKay Event Center.

Whenever the Buckaroos got any momentum, the T-birds' defense came up with some stops. Bagley had eight blocks, five of those in the last set. "She was a wall," said Piute head coach Sherida Allen. "She puts up a strong block."

The T-birds changed their lineup to try and contain sophomore middle hitter Swayzi Slade. "I thought she did a good job on her," said Allen.

Bagley said moving around wasn't a problem, especially because Millett started the team off right with some strong serving.

"We're pretty good at starting from wherever," Bagley said. "We felt pretty confident the whole time."

Even through the ups and downs that inevitably come with volleyball matches.

"That's just the game of volleyball," said Allen. "The team that's able to pick themselves up when they need to win. Teams have to learn, when you're up, keep pushing; if you're down, pick yourselves up and get going." Bagley said the lineup may look similar to years past, but the attitude is definitely different.

"It's almost like we know it," said Bagley. "I've always thought every year, 'We can win, but I don't know if we will.' This year it just feels like we have more experience, more confidence."

In other quarterfinal matches, Altamont defeated Bryce Valley, 25-19, 25-14, 24-26, 25-20. The Longhorns will face Piute, while the Mustangs will move to consolation play where they will take on Monticello.

Panguitch defeated Christian Heritage 25-14, 25-12, 25-11 behind an impressive defensive performance. The win means the top-ranked Bobcats will face Rich in the semifinals at 12:30 p.m. today. The loss sent Christian Heritage to consolation play, where they will face Whitehorse.

The championship match for 1A teams is at 5:30 p.m.

e-mail: adonaldson@desnews.com

1A VOLLEYBALL

Today's semifinal pairings

At McKay Events Center, Orem

Championship bracket

Altamont vs. Piute, 10:30 a.m.

Panguitch vs. Rich, 12:30 p.m.

*Championship game is at 5:30 p.m.

*Losers play for third/fourth place at 3:30 p.m.

Consolation bracket

Bryce Valley vs. Monticello, 9 a.m.

Christian Heritage vs. Whitehorse, 12:30 p.m.

ICS vs. Duchesne, 9 a.m.

Manila vs. Wayne, 10:30 a.m.