Not only are they nationally ranked, the Lone Peak Knights are setting out to prove they're top dog in Utah as well.
After taking out all comers in the Rocky Mountain Championship and holding tough against the most formidable competition this state has to offer, the Lone Peak volleyball team is ready to rocket through the season and take its usual place in the state championship match. The Knights are looking to make it to the final for the fifth straight time. But after losing that final match for the last two seasons, this team has trophy on the brain.
Lacey Laycock will set the team up for the title, and she has no shortage of hitters waiting to spike her sets. Move-in Faith Tusieneisa, Aubrey Muaina, Lacey Cramer, Cari Shumway, Hillary Olsen and Ashton Gray all have no problem putting it down on the other side of the net.
And they're all pretty capable of putting up a wall on their own side. Depth sees three defensive specialists able to rotate in as well with Heather Hanneman, Kylie Heaps and Anna Burgess all perfectly capable of playing that position with the best of them.
This team is so deep that the almost overwhelming number of stars champing at the bit to get their touches just might be head coach Deanna Meyer's biggest problem.
Another problem might form in the shape of Pleasant Grove, the Knights' longtime nemesis and their competition in three of the last four state finals. The Vikings are reloading alongside their Region 4 rivals and hoping to make it four of the last five.
Though they were hoping to have nationally acclaimed sophomore Danika Mendivil at full strength and hitting with a clean bill of health all season as opposed to last year when she sat out with a stress fracture for a good portion of the season, a fluke knee injury against Brighton in the Rocky Mountain Championship will sideline her for a couple of weeks.
But when this team is hitting on all cylinders, it could very well find itself once again opposite the Knights under the title lights.
Brooke McAllister, Sarah Clement, Melissa Rider, Jennifer Hamson, Kemi McFarland, Tania Hale and a host of defensive specialists add depth to yet another powerful Region 4 team.
By no means is Region 4 the only volleyball in Utah County. Region 7 is also gearing up for war. Springville just might be bringing back more of its talent than the other teams in the region, and Orem, Mountain View and Provo should also make things interesting.
This season, the Bulldogs might not race through region without a blip on their screen. But whomever snags the region title will have to contend with Cottonwood along the way if they want a shot at the state championship, and the Colts are more than ready to defend.
Here's a closer look at all the teams in Region 4 and Region 7.
Region 4
LONE PEAK KNIGHTS
Head coach: Deanna Meyer
Key players: Tusieneisa, RS; Muaina, OH; Cramer, OH; Shumway, OH; Olsen, MB; Gray, MB; Laycock, S; Hanneman, DS; Burgess, DS; Heaps, DS.
Outlook: If they don't have injury issues and keep improving like they should throughout the season, they could be impossible to stop. This is a definite state title team, barring any surprises. They might have lost much of a champion-caliber lineup, but they aren't missing a beat. Reloading is simply a way of life for the heavily armored Knights.
Predicted 2007 finish: First in Region 4
PLEASANT GROVE VIKINGS
Head coach: Mandi Nuttall
Key players: Mendivil, OH; McAllister, OH; Clement, MB; Rider, MB; Hamson, OPP; McFarland, S; Hale, S; Brandi Bowman DS.
Outlook: Once again they lost most of last season's highly touted varsity squad, but this team is never down, especially not when you bring back powerful hitters and blockers and add a pair of sophomore twin towers to the mix in 6-foot-2 Rider and 6-5 Hamson. If Mendivil is healthy, this team could give the Knights a run for their money.
Predicted 2007 finish: Second in Region 4
AMERICAN FORK CAVEMEN
Head coach: Dannette Moea'i
Key players: Rae Mulitalo, S; Miriam Sachs, OH; Makenzie Moea'i, OH; Tatum Porter, OPP; Jamie Goulding, MB; Christina Laws, MB; Brooke Miller, DS; Ariel Levao MB/OH, Marlisa Hardman, MB; Natalie Zitting, DS; Hayley Su'a-filo, OH.
Outlook: This team has talent. While it might not have the guns to compete with perennial powers Lone Peak and Pleasant Grove, it should have the ability to sneak in at third with Mulitalo's great hands, Porter's power and placement and Miller's innate passing ability. This is a true team and should provide plenty of excitement and some solid victories this season.
Predicted 2007 finish: Third in Region 4
LEHI PIONEERS
Head coach: Jamie Ingersoll
Key players: Marci Gray, OH; Mariah Dorch, OH; Shelby Lund, DS; Ali White, DS; Lindsay Day, MB; Miranda Parkinson, MB; Katrina Warburton, S; Kjersti Secretan, OH, Elle Brainerd, RS; Mady Greenwood, S.
Outlook: The Pioneers have to contend with the move into 5A, but Ingersoll said, "I don't think it affects us at all. We plan to be just as competitive and attack the game like we always have." This team is athletic, and with Gray hustling in the back row and on the attack, they always have a chance to shine.
Predicted 2007 finish: Fourth in Region 4
TIMPANOGOS TIMVERWOLVES
Head coach: Joe Peck
Key players: Morgan Freestone, OH; Angie Larsen, S; Arianne Avery, OH; Kali Skidmore, MB/OH; Jessica Fisher, MB; Rosa Albarran, DS; Amy Weitzeil, MB; Susan Sulz, OH.
Outlook: In what Peck calls a rebuilding year, the T-Wolves should still be able to head to the state tournament in most regions. Region 4 is always a tough go, and the T-Wolves will really have to put up a fight to make the championships. But it is possible with the jump-servers and solid attitude the entire team is putting up. Avery is proving she has leadership potential.
Predicted 2007 finish: Fifth in Region 4
SPANISH FORK DONS
Head coach: Diana Troyer
Key players: Erin Redd, MB; Leah Walker, OH; Ashley Kay, S; Keoki Yoshimoko, DS; Whitney Holm, OPP; Ali Greenwood, OH; Clarissa Mitchell, OH.
Outlook: Once again this team is in rebuilding mode, and in this region rebuilding is not allowed if you want a sniff of the playoffs. Sophomore Redd should be solid, and athletic Holm should be fun to watch, but even with setter Jenna Johnson, it would have been a stretch to see this team in the post season. With Johnson sitting with her torn ACL, it might be a long year.
Predicted 2007 finish: Sixth in Region 4
Region 7
SPRINGVILLE RED DEVILS
Head coach: Wade Taylor
Key players: Lindsay Barker, OH; Samantha Sumsion, OH; Taylor Steed, MB; Amberlee Allred, MB; Dayna Tuttle, S; Ali Wilkinson, OPP; Kelsie Ainge, OPP/OH/S/DS.
Outlook: If this team lives up to its potential, the Red Devils could be region champs. Provo's long reign might come to an end, and the powerful arms of Barker and Sumsion can do it if they don't lose focus. "This is a much tougher group than last year. Nobody really intimidates them," said Taylor.
Predicted 2007 finish: First in Region 7
OREM TIGERS
Head coach: Natalie Tidman
Key players: Emily Julian, MB; Amy Gonzales, RS; April Robins, OH; Shelby Lamoreaux, S; Ella Moe, OH; Hannah Robison, OH; Temeka Jones, MB; Rylee Robinson, DS; Rachel Bradley, MB.
Outlook: The Tigers could snatch the title from Springville if they get all their young talent to play up to its potential. Freshman Robison is coming in with solid fundamentals and could make some noise. The team also has returning proven players and some high expectations. "This should be a fun season for us. I'm very excited," said Tidman.
Predicted 2007 finish: Second in Region 7
PROVO BULLDOGS
Head coach: Wendy Bills
Key players: Naomi Flinders, S; Kara Griffin, OH; Amber Zibetti, OH; Cassie Christiansen, OH; Ali Thomas, DS; Hannah Hart, MB; Samara Ellsworth, MB.
Outlook: For the first time in years, this team is truly rebuilding, but if anyone knows how to win it's Bills. Her team should improve throughout the year, and some nervous hitting should become more confident. This year it will be a total team effort and they'll concentrate on defense, passing, serving and the block. But Provo might not be able to hold off the title competition.
Predicted 2007 finish: Third in Region 7
MOUNTAIN VIEW BRUINS
Head coach: Jon Fairbanks
Key players: Rachel Glassford OH/S, Heather Glassford S/DS, Graceann Jacobsen, OPP; Macy Merrell, OH/S; Amy Conrad, S; Nia Fotu, OH/DS; Malia Lavaki, OH/DS; Marissa Knell, MB; Makayla Dye, MB; Tasha Jorgensen, DS.
Outlook: This team has plenty of talent returning and could make its own push for the region title in a region that's really up for grabs. Four teams could contend for the trophy and this is one of them. There is plenty of versatility on this squad and a lot of experience. "Our goal this year is to get hard swings on every rally," said Fairbanks, and he should achieve it with this lineup.
Predicted 2007 finish: Fourth in Region 7
PAYSON LIONS
Head coach: Jodie Beck
Key players: Miranda Bradshaw, OH; Brooke Hiatt S/OH, Cassandra Unga, OPP; Mechele Ellis, S; Arielle Penrod, OH; Sam Brown, DS; Chelsey Diamond, DS; Kylee Kolibar, MB; Katherin Caldwell, MB.
Outlook: They're looking at a new 6-2 offense and are bringing back some experience. If 6'4" Bradshaw can add some leadership abilities to her hitting and blocking and the athletes step up, this team has a shot. Even though the region is all shook up this year, it could be a tough sell for the Lions to make much noise.
Predicted 2007 finish: Sixth in Region 7
TIMPVIEW THUNDERBIRDS
Head coach: Kaylene Cragun
Key players: Ilea Wright, OH; Jennifer Saxton, MB; Chantel Olsen, RS; Shelby Peterson, S; Tani Freeze, S; Rebecca Bryson, MB.
Outlook: Though the team is adding a little experience after suffering several miserable seasons, it's still going to be a tough sell to give this team much chance at making the playoffs. Cragun is hoping her team will continue to improve, and some of that improvement could rest on the shoulders of Saxton, who has some decent hitting and blocking abilities.
Predicted 2007 finish: Seventh in Region 7
Region 14
AMERICAN LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
Head coach: Anita Riggs
Key players: Sally Hansen, MB; Sarah Madsen, S/OH; Chelsea Paele, MB/OH; McKenna Poulter, OH; Vanessa Laussen, OH/S.
Outlook: After a difficult start in their first-ever season, this team should be greatly improved this year. The team has already rallied after going winless last year. "It's nice to have options. We will do much better this year," said Riggs, who notes the athleticism of Hansen, Paele and Poulter and the nice hands 6-2 Laussen brings with her.
Predicted 2007 finish: Fourth in Region 14
NOTE: The key for position abbreviations is as follows: MB — middle blocker; OPP — opposite; OH — outside hitter; RS — right-side hitter; S — setter; DS — defensive specialist.
Coaches' predicted region finishes
Region 4
1 — Lone Peak
2 — Pleasant Grove
3 — American Fork
4 — Lehi
5 — Timpanogos
6 — Spanish Fork
Region 7
1 — Springville
2 — Orem
3 — Provo
4 — Mountain View
5 — Tooele
6 — Payson
7 — Timpview
E-mail: jolsen@desnews.com