OREM — Twelve years ago, the same two teams met up in the 3A state championship match. But 12 years ago, North Sanpete coach Rickie Stewart was an outside hitter; this year, she had to sit on the sidelines instead of playing in the match.

But when all was said and done, the outcome was the same. North Sanpete defeated Morgan for the 3A title. And none of it was easy, as the match went the distance in an exciting and intense meeting for both teams, with North Sanpete finally snatching victory in five tight games, 25-16, 27-29, 25-22, 17-25, 15-13.

It was one of the eight seniors who finally finished things off for the Hawks, as they were on the court for their first match point after Morgan had taken a timeout. Morgan superstar Ashley Garfield went up for the ball and swung hard, but Lindsay Bradley went up high and tight and knocked the ball back over the net and straight down. When it hit the ground on the Morgan side, the entire North Sanpete team hit the floor, too, — in tears.

"The game was just so close. I just had to get it," said Bradley after the match.

"When I got that block, I was just so relieved. I couldn't believe we were state champions. I'm still shaking," she added with an edge of excitement and amazement in her voice.

The group of eight seniors and their teammates from North Sanpete came into this tournament largely unheralded as only the third seed from Region 12. But they tore through opponents and made it to the final playing their best volleyball of the year.

"We came together at the perfect time. Last year, we peaked at the beginning of the season and kind of tanked at state. This year, I felt like everyone counted us out. They didn't even think we'd get past Judge," said 3A state tournament MVP Shelby Earl.

They went five games against the tough group from Judge Memorial in the first round of the state tournament, then slid past another pair of good teams in straight sweeps.

"This is the best full match we've played. We came together yesterday, and I think we had an advantage because people hadn't see our real team. They hadn't seen us play well," said Stewart about her group that has been playing together for six years.

"We expected it. We knew we could do it. We did get hot at the right time," added Stewart, who was thrilled for her group of girls that she says have been working hard together for a state championship since they were in the seventh grade.