The Pahrump Valley High School varsity girls volleyball team continued to work through a challenging early-season schedule Thursday, Aug. 20, traveling to Mojave for a four-set match that saw the Trojans steadily build momentum, claim the third set and come within two points of forcing a decisive fifth.
Pahrump had to battle from behind early in the opening set as Mojave jumped out to a 12-1 advantage. Rather than allowing the early deficit to dictate the remainder of the set, the Trojans began settling into their offense and finding ways to put points together.
Senior Riley Saldaña provided an offensive spark with a hard kill, while sophomore Olivia Veloz turned a Mojave tip attempt into a Pahrump point by quickly getting above the net and redirecting the ball into open court.
Freshman Mahina Decambra also challenged Mojave at the net, getting her hands on an attack during the Trojans’ push. Sophomore Henna Maiava later delivered a well-placed set to Saldaña, who finished the play with a forceful kill to pull Pahrump to 18-11.
Although Mojave ultimately took the first set 25-13, Pahrump’s improvement over the second half of the set carried into the second.
Senior Xéane Kamanu put the Trojans on the board with a kill, and Pahrump began steadily narrowing what had initially been a five-point Mojave advantage. Saldaña’s attack off the Mojave block earned another point before Veloz began finding openings in the defense.
Veloz drove an attack toward the sideline that landed directly on the line for a point, then followed during a long rally by tipping the ball over the net. Mojave managed to get a touch on it but could not keep the play alive.
Pahrump continued battling as the set progressed. Saldaña turned a ball that had been set too far on Mojave’s side into a well-timed tip, while Maiava twice found success placing tips deep into the backcourt.
With sophomore Alyvia Morin serving, Pahrump put together another strong sequence as Saldaña controlled the ball and Maiava finished by sending a tip into the backcourt. The Trojans pulled within two at 17-15.
Mojave stretched its lead again, but Pahrump answered. Kamanu delivered a kill to make it 21-20 and reacted with a smile as the Trojans continued closing the gap. Moments later, she attacked hard from the right side for another kill, bringing Pahrump within one at 22-21.
Mojave managed to hold off the late charge and take the second set 25-21, but the Trojans had turned the match into a much tighter contest.
That progress showed immediately in the third set.
Maiava opened at the service line and helped Pahrump race out to a 4-0 advantage. After Mojave sent the first return into the net, Maiava delivered back-to-back aces before another serve went unreturned.
Veloz added to the early offense with a pair of attacks, and Saldaña hammered a kill that Mojave could not return to give Pahrump an 8-2 advantage. Veloz followed with an ace for another point.
Pahrump’s offense continued clicking through its setters and hitters. Maiava delivered a strong set to Saldaña for a point, and another well-placed set allowed Saldaña to attack from the left side and extend the advantage to 11-4.
Junior Mckinsey Nottingham then made her presence felt at the net with a solid block that pushed the Trojans ahead 12-4.
Mojave attempted to work its way back into the set, but Pahrump continued answering. Saldaña added an ace, and Kamanu drove an attack through the defense that Mojave was able to touch only once before it hit the floor.
With Pahrump holding a 16-8 advantage, Mojave called timeout in an effort to slow the Trojans’ run. Pahrump remained in control following the break and soon extended its lead to 19-8.
Junior Sedona Norton later connected with Kamanu, setting her up for a kill into the open middle of the Mojave court for a 20-11 advantage.
Pahrump’s defense also continued contributing at the net as the Trojans worked their way toward set point. Veloz served with Pahrump leading 22-15 before Saldaña strategically tipped the ball into the back left corner for another point.
On set point, senior Evalenne Armendariz handled the serve receive before junior Miani Freitas-Faamai delivered an attack to put Pahrump at 24. A Mojave service error soon finished the set, giving the Trojans the 25-17 victory and keeping the match alive.
Pahrump carried that energy directly into the fourth set.
Kamanu opened the scoring with a kill from the right side and immediately followed with consecutive aces, putting the Trojans ahead 3-0.
After Mojave pulled within a point, Saldaña went to work at the net. She first tipped the ball over the defense and then followed with a hard kill to help Pahrump move ahead 5-3.
Veloz delivered an ace into the right corner, and a Mojave attack sailed long to extend the lead. Veloz and Armendariz then combined on a strong defensive effort to keep another rally alive as Pahrump moved in front 8-3.
The Trojans continued to apply pressure. Saldaña used another tip for a point before sending an attack toward the opposite corner. Nottingham capitalized on a short set for another kill, giving Pahrump a 13-7 advantage.
Saldaña then took over from the service line. She recorded an ace to make it 14-7 before her next serve skimmed over the net and dropped short for another ace. Mojave was unable to return the following serve, stretching Pahrump’s lead to 16-7.
Nottingham followed with another strong block at the net, giving the Trojans their largest advantage of the set at 17-7.
Mojave began cutting into the deficit, but Pahrump maintained the lead deep into the set. The Trojans moved ahead 19-13 on another successful attack and later held a 21-15 advantage. A Mojave service error and net violation helped Pahrump reach 23 points with the Trojans still holding a four-point lead.
Mojave then mounted a late rally, eventually tying the set at 23-23 before moving ahead 24-23.
With the match on the line, Saldaña answered. She tipped the ball over the net, and Mojave’s block attempt went out of bounds, tying the score at 24 and giving Pahrump another opportunity to extend the match.
Mojave, however, captured the next two points to take the set 26-24 and secure the match.
The match added another valuable night of competition to the Trojans’ early-season schedule as they continue working to strengthen their rotations and build consistency on the court. With several players contributing in different roles throughout the night, Pahrump will look to carry that experience into its upcoming matches.
