Orem • At Utah Valley University on Friday night, the stage was set between two reigning champions in what was supposed to be one of the most competitive and compelling volleyball matches of the year.

Then Morgan took the court — from there it was no contest.

The Trojans played like the best team in the state Saturday night against one of Utah's biggest volleyball powerhouses, smashing Snow Canyon in a jaw-dropping sweep (25-21, 25-19, 25-13) in the Class 3A finals. It wasn't just stunning that Morgan won three straight sets, but that the team seemed to get better with each point against the Warriors, who won five straight state titles before moving back to 3A this year.

"Yeah, we weren't timid at all out there," senior Bailey Farris said. "We were looking forward to playing Snow Canyon in the final ever since they moved down. I think everyone was excited to play them and stepped up."

It was 6-foot-1 middle blocker Farris in the center of the dominant performance, lighting up the Warriors for a game-high 26 kills. The senior UVU commit also had four aces, including three in the final set that helped the Trojans clinch their second straight 3A title.

Snow Canyon lacked anyone who could physically match up with Farris, who ran rampant on the front line. Many times, it took Herculean defensive efforts for the Warriors to keep pace.

"Who'd have thunk?" said Morgan coach Liz Wiscombe, who led Morgan to its 15th state title, and 12th under her leadership. "I've never seen Bailey serve like that. Everything she touched was gold."

The match started out more evenly than it wrapped up, as the two teams traded barbs back and forth. But after a close 25-21 set in which Snow Canyon successfully defended several match points before succumbing, Morgan started pulling away.

The Trojans won the first six points of the second set. The Warriors managed to battle back to retake the lead in a rally, but then behind Farris' strong net play and solid team defense, Morgan retook a big lead. From there, momentum kept rolling its way.

The Trojans closed out in a big way, as five combined service aces by Farris and Kristi Rhead helped the team gain an insurmountable lead in the final set.

"We knew we could win — maybe not in three, though," said setter Ashlee Gallen, who finished with 36 assists. "It was definitely one of our best games. We played as a team."

For Snow Canyon, the game closed one of the most spectacular runs in state history — the Warriors had not lost a final since 2006. And Ciara Parker, a BYU-bound setter who was a state MVP for several years, finished as Utah's all-time assist leader, adding 13 to her record in the defeat.

"She'll be disappointed, but she has a lot of volleyball left to play," said Alaina Parker, her coach and mother. "She's been a great leader, and it meant a lot that we even got here."

kgoon@sltrib.comTwitter: @kylegoon —

Results

Championship • Morgan 3, Snow Canyon 0 (25-21, 25-19, 25-13)

Third place • Delta 3, Juan Diego 1 (25-19, 21-25, 25-19, 25-17)

Fifth place • North Sanpete 3, Desert Hills 1 (25-19, 25-14, 15-25, 25-21)

Sixth place • Carbon 3, Hurricane 2 (25-18, 23-25, 20-25, 25-18, 15-12)