The Pahrump Valley High School girls’ junior varsity volleyball team closed its home schedule against Moapa Valley on Tuesday, Oct. 13, putting together early leads in both sets and several strong serving stretches before falling to the Pirates 25-15, 25-12.
For a young Trojan lineup, the evening provided another opportunity to develop the skills and teamwork that have been central to a season of growth. Daisy Skougard’s serving, Emri Wulfenstein’s efforts at the net and in the backcourt, and a late ace from Sarah Penner gave Pahrump positive moments to carry into its final match and build upon next year.
The Lady Trojans stayed close through the opening points of the first set before moving ahead with Skougard at the service line. A Moapa Valley attack into the net gave Pahrump a 3-2 advantage, and Skougard followed with an ace. Another Pirates attack sailed out, extending the Trojans’ lead to 5-2.
Moapa Valley began working its way back, but Pahrump remained in front at 6-5. The teams then traded points, with the Trojans staying even through ties at 7-7, 8-8 and 9-9. At 10-10, the opening set remained within reach for either side.
The Pirates created separation with a scoring run that included consecutive aces, eventually taking a 16-10 lead. Pahrump answered by winning four of the next five points. Two Moapa Valley attacks went out before Skougard delivered back-to-back aces, bringing the Lady Trojans within two at 16-14.
A lengthy rally followed, with Moapa Valley finally placing an attack into the back corner to end the exchange. A Pirates serve into the net kept Pahrump close at 17-15, but Moapa Valley controlled the closing stretch. The Trojans continued trying to extend plays with digs and returns before the Pirates finished the set with a tip into open floor.
Pahrump opened the second set with another productive turn at the service line. Wulfenstein served an ace to begin the set, then delivered another serve the Pirates could not return for a 2-0 lead.
Moapa Valley tied the score, but the Lady Trojans moved ahead again. A Pirates attack into the net, another ace from Skougard and a Moapa Valley hit out helped Pahrump establish a 5-2 advantage.
The Pirates responded with six consecutive points, using their serving to take an 8-5 lead. Pahrump interrupted the run with a bump into open floor, cutting the deficit to 8-6 before Abigail Sutton took over serving.
Moapa Valley continued extending its advantage as the Trojans worked to regain a steady rhythm. A Pirates serve that traveled too deep gave Pahrump its seventh point, and another serve into the net later moved the score to 13-8.
The Lady Trojans kept pursuing the ball as the set progressed, including diving attempts to keep rallies alive. Wulfenstein helped finish one extended exchange with a tip for Pahrump’s ninth point, and Penner followed with an ace to make it 20-10.
Pahrump added two more points on Moapa Valley errors, continuing to look for opportunities through the closing rallies before the Pirates secured the second set 25-12.
The home finale reflected both the challenges of developing consistency and the encouraging stretches this young group can build upon. Pahrump’s early leads, serving runs and willingness to pursue difficult balls offer a foundation as the players continue developing their games and look toward next year.
The Lady Trojans have one more opportunity to put that experience into practice this season. Pahrump travels to The Meadows on Thursday, Oct. 15, for its season finale at 5 p.m.
