Girls 6A volleyball at UVU in Orem on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News The high school girls volleyball season begins this week, and there could be a lot of repeat state champions based on the coaches projections.Five of last years six state champs were pegged as the team to beat in their respective classification in the 2026 Deseret News preseason coaches rankings Corner Canyon, Woods Cross, North Sanpete, North Summit and Panguitch.Orem in 4A is the only preseason No. 1 team that isnt a defending state champ. Deseret Hills won last years 4A title.In 6A, Corner Canyon returns the bulk of its starters from a year ago, including returning first team all-state setter Nafanua Alofipo. The Chargers finished second in Region 3 a year ago, but got hot at the perfect time to win their first state title in school history.In 5A, Woods Cross will open the season ranked No. 1 after winning its first state championship in 46 years. It graduated last years Ms. Volleyball winner, Avery Poulton, but several pieces return for the Wildcats, including setter Zamari Christensen.Orems bid for a third-straight 4A title was denied a year ago falling to Desert Hills in the championship match. A year later, 4As coaches believe Orem is still the team to beat as it finished ahead of Desert Hills in the preseason voting. The Tigers graduated some key pieces, but they return all-state outside hitter Haven Michaelis.In 3A, North Sanpete will begin the year ranked No. 1 led by reigning 3A Player of the Year Rylee Stewart. All the other Hawks all-staters from a year ago graduated, but coach Ricki Stewart believes the quality is there to be in the hunt again.In 2A, defending state champ North Summit returns five starters including last years 2A Player of the Year Ellie Stephens as it was voted the runaway favorite to repeat as 2A state champ. Panguitch was tabbed by the coaches as the 1A favorite in 2026 as it narrowly finished ahead of Rich in the coaches voting. The Bobcats return three of their four all-staters from a year ago, while Rich graduated its two first team all-staters.2026 preseason high school girls volleyball rankingsEach year, the Deseret News asks every girls volleyball coach in the state to vote for the top five teams in their classification. The votes are tallied, and five points are assigned for a first-place vote, four for a second-place vote, etc. Coaches arent allowed to vote for their own team. The following are the results from the coaches who elected to participate:Class 6ATeam 2025 recordCorner Canyon (25-6)Lone Peak (19-11)Skyridge (27-3)Mountain Ridge (27-5)Syracuse (21-9)Others receiving multiple votes: Bingham, American Fork.Class 5ATeam 2025 recordWoods Cross (30-1)Skyline (21-7)Bountiful (17-12)Pleasant Grove (20-10)Maple Mountain (22-8)Others receiving multiple votes: Fremont, Payson, Timpview, Box Elder, Brighton, West Field, West.Class 4ATeam 2025 recordOrem (28-4)Desert Hills (23-9)Green Canyon (23-7)Mountain View (21-10)Crimson Cliffs (20-10)Others receiving multiple votes: Ridgeline, Provo, Wasatch, Cedar City, Snow Canyon, Hurricane, Dixie.Class 3ATeam 2025 recordNorth Sanpete (32-0)Delta (24-8)Canyon View (18-9)Morgan (22-6)Union (15-12)Others receiving multiple votes: Grantsville, Richfield.Class 2ATeam 2025 recordNorth Summit (22-4)Enterprise (22-5)San Juan (23-3)Millard (20-9)North Sevier (13-13)Others receiving multiple votes: Kanab, Parowan, Duchesne, Grand.Class 1ATeam 2025 recordPanguitch (22-4)Rich (15-6)Tabiona (17-15)St. Joseph (22-10)Valley (15-12)Others receiving multiple votes: Altamont, Tintic, Piute, Monticello, Manila, Wayne.