The Pahrump Valley High School varsity volleyball team combined strong serving with a productive attack to earn a three-set sweep of Democracy Prep Agassi Campus at home on Tuesday, Oct. 6. The Lady Trojans won 25-11, 25-9 and 25-9, building substantial leads in each set with contributions from across the lineup.
Riley Saldaña and Xe’ane Kamanu repeatedly found openings in the Democracy Prep defense, while serving runs helped Pahrump maintain control throughout the evening. Henna Maiava kept the offense moving and added timely tips and aces, with several teammates contributing points as the Trojans worked toward the sweep.
Pahrump established an early advantage in the opening set, moving ahead 3-1 before Kamanu stepped to the service line. An ace and several serves Democracy Prep could not return helped extend the lead. Saldaña added a tip that found the floor and an attack Democracy Prep could not contain as the Trojans pushed their advantage to 10-1.
Democracy Prep picked up several points, but Pahrump continued to answer. Saldaña delivered another kill for a 12-4 lead, and Mahina Decambra added an ace as the margin grew to 14-4. Decambra also dug a DPAC attack to keep a rally alive, contributing defensively as well as from the service line.
The Trojans maintained their cushion through the middle of the set before Kamanu delivered consecutive aces to help make it 21-9. Saldaña later placed a tip for a 24-11 advantage, and Maiava finished the set by sending the ball over herself instead of setting, securing the 25-11 win.
The second set followed a similar pattern. After Democracy Prep scored the opening point, Pahrump quickly moved in front. Back-to-back aces from Kamanu helped establish a 3-1 lead, and the Trojans extended it to 5-1. Decambra added another ace as Pahrump built a 9-3 advantage.
Saldaña put away an attack to make it 10-4, and Maiava’s placement over the net led to another Trojans point when Democracy Prep/s response went out. Kamanu followed with a hard-driven kill that the defense could not control, giving Pahrump a 12-6 lead.
Maiava then helped the Trojans pull farther ahead from the service line. Democracy Prep struggled to return her serves, and an ace extended the margin to 17-6.
Later in the set, Maiava connected with Miani Freitas-Faamai, who tipped the ball over for a 20-9 lead. Alyvia Morin followed with an ace and continued serving as Pahrump collected the remaining points. Freitas-Faamai added another tip during the closing stretch, and the Trojans took the set 25-9.
Pahrump’s attack was particularly effective early in the third set. McKinsey Nottingham’s tip tied the score at 1-1 before Saldaña delivered consecutive kills to put the Trojans ahead. Kaitlyn Brown added a kill for a 4-2 lead, and Kamanu set backward to Saldaña for another point.
Maiava also sent a quick, long set to Saldaña, who finished the play as Pahrump moved ahead 7-2. Another hard hit from Saldaña landed in the middle of the floor for an 8-3 advantage.
The Trojans continued expanding the lead with Emily Zaragoza serving. Kamanu contributed consecutive kills, including an attack that deflected away from Democracy Prep’s attempted dig, and Zaragoza added an ace as Pahrump reached 16-4.
During a later rally, Kamanu changed the pace with a softer attack over the net to make it 20-6. Maiava followed with consecutive aces, and Pahrump advanced to match point at 24-6. Democracy Prep added three points before Kamanu sent a standing attack over the net to close out the set and the match.
The sweep gave the home crowd plenty to celebrate, from forceful finishes at the net to well-placed tips and sustained serving runs. Pahrump’s ability to score in several ways kept the offense productive throughout all three sets and allowed teammates across the lineup to contribute to the victory.
