The Pahrump Valley High School Lady Trojans volleyball team gave fans a night to remember on Thursday, October 16, with a thrilling five-set victory over The Meadows Mustangs that perfectly capped off their Senior Night celebration.
Before the match began, seniors Nala Dalton, Myah Krolczyk, Amaliah Mendoza, Madison Rodriguez, Marayah Waller, and Heavenly Ware were honored for their leadership, dedication, and lasting impact on the program. The gym buzzed with emotion as families and fans filled the bleachers, setting the stage for one of the most exciting matches of the season.
Once the first serve was in the air, the Lady Trojans wasted no time feeding off that energy. The opening set saw Pahrump come out strong behind sharp serves and solid defensive plays. Myah Krolczyk started the momentum with consistent serving, while Sedona Norton dropped in an ace that lifted the crowd to its feet. At the net, Xe’ane Kamanu made her presence felt with several hard spikes to the corners, and the Trojans held steady through back-and-forth rallies to take the first set 25–21.
Carrying that momentum into the second, the Lady Trojans were unstoppable early on. Krolczyk delivered a run of aces to put Pahrump up 9–1 before The Meadows could recover. The home crowd was electric, singing along to “Sweet Caroline” during a timeout as energy filled the gym. Riley Saldaña’s hard spikes and the front-row dominance from Waller and Kamanu kept the Mustangs off balance. Though The Meadows closed the gap late, Pahrump’s poise held strong—Krolczyk fired off another ace, and Waller sealed the 25–22 win with a quick tip at the net that sent the Trojans ahead two sets to none.
The third set, however, turned into a battle. The Meadows began finding holes in the Trojans’ defense, stringing together a few early points. Norton and Mendoza worked hard to keep the ball alive, while Kamanu and Ware each delivered kills to stop the Mustangs’ runs. Rodriguez’s ace tied the score at 13–13 midway through, but a late surge by The Meadows gave them a 25–21 win, shifting the momentum back in their favor.
That intensity carried over into the fourth, where long rallies and defensive scrambles defined the set. Pahrump jumped ahead 7–4 after kills from Waller and Kamanu, and Krolczyk continued to pressure the Mustangs with aggressive serving, including back-to-back aces that made it 9–4. Ware and Miani Tapia added key blocks as the Trojans extended their lead. But The Meadows refused to back down, capitalizing on a few Pahrump miscues to claw their way back. Despite Waller’s late kill and Norton’s steady play in the back row, the Mustangs edged out a 25–22 win, forcing a decisive fifth set.
The gym was electric as the teams took the floor for the tiebreaker. The final set was fast-paced and emotional, with both sides battling for every point. Ware opened with a kill that energized the crowd, and Dalton followed with a clutch ace to put Pahrump up 4–3. The Mustangs responded with a brief run, but Kamanu’s kill tied the score at 8–8. She then fired an ace to regain the lead before The Meadows tied it again at 9–9. The tension grew with every serve—Rodriguez stepped in with steady serves and Ware came up big with a block to even it once more at 11–11. Saldaña’s back-to-back kills gave the Trojans the edge at 13–12, and when Krolczyk’s final serve forced The Meadows’ return out of bounds, the gym erupted in celebration as Pahrump Valley sealed the 15–13 victory.
After the final point, fans and players alike cheered as the team embraced their seniors in a moment of pride and joy. Head Coach Amber Lugo said the win reflected the team’s growth and perseverance. “The girls have been working extremely hard in practice on consistent aggressive serving, and that is definitely paying off,” she said. “We’ve been focused on communicating and not giving up on a play. I really have to let this team play through their mistakes. They have grown so much in that aspect of the game. It has taken this long to get there, and that aspect feels really good. That paid off last night. Every player contributed and they never gave up. I am extremely proud of them all, and loved how the community came out to support them in such a big way.”
The win was more than just another mark in the standings—it was a defining moment for a team that has learned to fight together and trust one another. On a night that celebrated the heart and dedication of its seniors, the Lady Trojans showed that their true strength lies in unity, perseverance, and the unwavering support of their community.
