The Pahrump Valley High School varsity volleyball team opened its home match against The Meadows with a close first-set victory before the Mustangs responded to earn a four-set win Tuesday, Sept. 22.
Pahrump Valley claimed the opening set 25-23, while The Meadows took the next three sets 25-21, 25-13 and 25-18. The Trojans continued competing throughout the match, producing strong stretches at the service line and several extended rallies against the Mustangs.
The Meadows scored the first three points of the opening set, but Pahrump quickly began working its way back. Xe’ane Kamanu put down a kill to get the Trojans on the scoreboard before serving during a run that included kills by Riley Saldaña and Kamanu.
Emily Zaragoza delivered an ace to tie the set at 5-5, and a Meadows attack out of bounds gave Pahrump its first lead. The Mustangs moved back in front, but the Trojans stayed close behind kills from Miani Freitas-Faamai and Saldaña.
Mahina Decambra helped spark another Pahrump run with a diving save that led to a Saldaña kill. Saldaña and Freitas-Faamai then combined for a block before Saldaña recorded another kill, giving the Trojans a 10-9 advantage.
The teams continued exchanging points through the middle of the set. Evalenne Armendariz made a diving receive during one rally before Henna Maiava and Olivia Veloz combined to block a Meadows attack, tying the score at 13-13.
Kamanu helped Pahrump create some separation from the service line, recording back-to-back aces before another serve went unreturned. The three-point run gave the Trojans a 17-14 lead and prompted a Meadows timeout.
Pahrump maintained its advantage as Saldaña added another kill and Decambra served an unreturned ball for a 21-17 lead. A tip by Maiava moved the Trojans within three points of the set victory, but the Mustangs rallied to tie the score at 23-23.
Kamanu answered with a kill to give Pahrump set point. The final rally featured several saves by the Trojans, along with a block by Veloz and a dig from Maiava. Kamanu eventually finished the rally with another kill, securing the 25-23 victory.
Pahrump carried that momentum into the beginning of the second set. Veloz opened the Trojans’ scoring with a kill, and Kamanu served during a short run that put Pahrump ahead 3-1.
The Mustangs responded and gradually built a 9-5 advantage, but the Trojans continued working to close the gap. Saldaña recorded multiple kills, Freitas-Faamai contributed a block and Kamanu attacked effectively from the back row.
Pahrump pulled within one point at 15-14 before Decambra tied the set with a serve that led to a Meadows attack going out of bounds. The Mustangs regained the lead, but the Trojans mounted another late push.
Sedona Norton served an ace during a three-point stretch that brought Pahrump within 20-19. Kamanu added two more kills late in the set, but The Meadows held on for the 25-21 win to tie the match.
The Mustangs established an early advantage in the third set. Pahrump continued looking for opportunities to respond, receiving kills from Saldaña, Kamanu and Freitas-Faamai.
Kamanu also scored with a well-placed tip, while Decambra served an ace during the second half of the set. Freitas-Faamai contributed two more kills down the stretch, but The Meadows maintained its lead and took the set 25-13.
The Trojans regrouped and stayed within striking distance throughout much of the fourth set. Kamanu recorded a tip and a kill among Pahrump’s first points, while a short set from Maiava helped Freitas-Faamai finish a kill.
Norton served as the Trojans cut the Mustangs’ advantage to 9-7. A Meadows attack later went out following a pair of blocks by Veloz, and Pahrump continued chipping away.
With the Trojans trailing 12-10, Kamanu served during another productive run. Veloz and Saldaña recorded consecutive kills to tie the set at 12-12 and force The Meadows to call a timeout.
Zaragoza later delivered an ace to pull Pahrump within one at 15-14. Freitas-Faamai helped keep the Trojans in contention with three kills during the latter portion of the set, but the Mustangs closed the match with a 25-18 victory.
The Trojans continued competing throughout the match, receiving contributions from across their lineup. Their serving created several productive runs, while their hitters and blockers repeatedly challenged The Meadows at the net.
“I know we can play with anyone,” Head Coach Amber Lugo said. “We will continue to work hard to improve and become more consistent heading into round two of league.”
With the second half of league play approaching, Pahrump will look to build on the stretches in which its serving, defense and attack came together against the Mustangs.
