The Pahrump Valley High School junior varsity girls’ volleyball team gained momentum as Thursday’s match progressed, putting together several strong offensive sequences in a two-set loss to the Virgin Valley Bulldogs on Sept. 3 at home in Pahrump.
Virgin Valley won the match 25-15, 25-16, but the Trojans responded to a difficult opening set with improved communication and a more balanced attack in the second.
The match marked the return of freshman Emri Wulfenstein, who quickly became involved in Pahrump’s offense. After Virgin Valley claimed the opening point, Wulfenstein helped the Trojans even the score at 1-1.
The Bulldogs gradually built a 7-2 advantage, though Ariana Apolinar and Marely Gomez kept Pahrump battling through an extended exchange at the net. Gomez attacked three times during the rally before putting the final ball on the floor for a Trojan point.
Pahrump continued working to close the gap as several Virgin Valley errors brought the Trojans within 10-6. The Bulldogs answered with a run that stretched their lead to 19-8 before Pahrump found some success from the service line.
A serve that skimmed the net brought the Trojans into double digits, and an ace on the following point made it 19-11. Pahrump later added a successful attack and an ace from Abigail Sutton before Virgin Valley closed the set, 25-15.
The Trojans came out with renewed energy in the second set, taking an early lead and producing some of their best offensive combinations of the match.
After the teams split the first four points, Pahrump moved ahead 3-2 and extended the advantage when Wulfenstein delivered an ace. Virgin Valley tied the set at 5-5, but Daisy Skougard answered with an ace before Raenalynn Domingo put away an attack for a 7-5 Trojan lead.
Apolinar followed with a well-placed backward set to Gomez, who finished the play with a spike to make it 8-6. Sutton then served an ace, and another set from Apolinar led to a Domingo kill that extended Pahrump’s advantage to 10-6.
Virgin Valley cut into the lead, but the Trojans continued moving the ball effectively. Wulfenstein set Gomez for another successful attack, then followed with a well-placed offensive touch of her own to put Pahrump ahead 12-9.
The Bulldogs responded and tied the set at 12 before moving in front. Pahrump stayed close, using an attack into open space to pull within 15-14. Apolinar later sent a high set to Gomez, who drove the ball down to make it 17-15.
Virgin Valley found its rhythm late in the set and used a series of attacks and service points to pull away for the 25-16 victory. Despite the final result, Pahrump’s improved passing, setting and attacking in the second set allowed multiple players to contribute as the Trojans continued building their on-court chemistry.
*These photos and more are available at pvcnphotos.com.
