The Pahrump Valley High School girls volleyball B team used strong serving and steady offensive pressure to earn a straight-set victory over the Rancho High School Rams, taking the opening set 25-12 before maintaining control throughout the second set.
Pahrump’s serving game proved to be one of its biggest strengths, with several Trojans putting together extended runs from behind the service line and helping the team create separation on the scoreboard.
The opening set began closely, with the teams trading points before Pahrump began finding its rhythm. After the Trojans pulled even at 4-4, Aurora Eyraud stepped to the service line and immediately changed the momentum of the set.
Eyraud delivered an ace to put Pahrump in front and followed it with another as the Trojans stretched their advantage. Another difficult serve helped Pahrump build a 7-4 lead, and Rancho was unable to successfully return the next volley as the margin grew to four points.
After the Rams briefly cut into the lead, Pahrump continued to answer. Rancho sent an attack out to give the Trojans a 9-6 advantage before Audaseli Pinder took over at the service line. Pinder delivered back-to-back aces, quickly pushing the score to 11-6.
Pahrump continued to capitalize on Rancho errors while also creating points of its own. With the Trojans leading 14-9, Eyraud sent a flat attack across the net that found the floor for another Pahrump point.
Lyra Tointigh then helped the Trojans put together another lengthy scoring run from the service line. Rancho was unable to return her first serve, and the Rams continued having difficulty handling her deliveries as Pahrump extended the lead to 18-9. Tointigh followed with an ace for a 19-9 advantage, and the Trojans continued the run to reach 21 points before Rancho could stop it.
Eyraud added another offensive highlight late in the set, driving an attack deep into the backcourt to make it 22-10. Kelsey Haase followed from the service line by placing a serve into the back corner for an ace and a 23-10 lead.
The Trojans moved to set point at 24-11 following a Rancho service error. After the Rams picked up one more point, a Rancho ball struck the ceiling to close out Pahrump’s 25-12 first-set victory.
Tointigh immediately set the tone for the second set with an ace to give Pahrump the opening point. After Rancho tied the score, the Trojans used a well-placed tip to regain the lead before Tointigh struck for another ace and a 3-1 advantage.
Pahrump continued building its lead through a combination of aggressive play and pressure on the Rams. A Trojan bump found open floor for a point and a 5-3 advantage, and Rancho was unable to return the following volley. Another Rancho ball went out to give Pahrump a 7-3 lead.
The Rams managed to narrow the gap as the set progressed, pulling within 9-8 before a serve into the net returned possession and momentum to Pahrump.
Tointigh later added another ace to push the Trojans ahead 12-8. Rancho again attempted to work its way back into the set, trimming the margin to two points at 12-10, but Haase responded with one of Pahrump’s strongest serving stretches of the match.
Haase delivered consecutive aces to move the score to 14-10 and then struck for another to make it 15-10. Her serving run continued as the Trojans rattled off two more points, building a 17-10 advantage before a deep serve finally returned possession to Rancho.
The Rams put together a short run of their own to close within 17-14, but Pahrump responded before the gap could shrink any further. A Trojan bump carried across the net and landed just inside the court for an 18-14 lead.
Victoria Glover followed with an attack that found the floor, pushing the Trojans ahead 19-14 and giving Pahrump some breathing room heading into the closing stretch.
Eyraud then returned to the service line and put together another dominant run. She opened with an ace to make it 20-14 and followed with two more, giving Pahrump three consecutive aces and a commanding 22-14 advantage.
After the teams exchanged possession, a Rancho service error moved Pahrump to 23-15. Pinder then stepped behind the line with the Trojans nearing match point and delivered another ace, giving Pahrump a 24-15 advantage and putting the B team on the doorstep of completing the straight-set victory.
The performance gave Pahrump’s B team an opportunity to develop its communication, serving consistency and offensive execution while also coming away with a convincing win.
