Kristine (Daffer) Shreeve, known as Kristi, is set to be inducted into the Pahrump Valley High School (PVHS) Hall of Fame in the Class of 2024, a recognition of her outstanding athletic achievements and deep connection to the school. As a standout multi-sport athlete who excelled in volleyball, basketball, and softball, Kristi’s induction celebrates the lasting impact she made on PVHS sports during her high school years.
A 2009 graduate, Kristi thrived in all three sports, but volleyball and basketball were where she truly left her mark. Her time at PVHS was filled with memorable moments, friendships, and important life lessons. “I had such a great time at school. I feel very lucky to have grown up here, and I loved high school,” she shared, reflecting on her experience.
Her freshman year offered significant opportunities, especially in basketball. When her close friend and teammate, Michelle Dannenberger, was injured, Kristi took on a larger role on the varsity team, an opportunity that allowed her to grow as a player. “I had no idea what I was doing, but Coach Hopkins [Bob Hopkins] believed in me,” Kristi recalled. “I got to play with no pressure and learned so much from the upperclassmen. It was a pivotal year for me.”
Volleyball also played a central role in Kristi’s high school career. As a freshman, she and her team made it to the state tournament. She vividly remembers an intense match against The Meadows where she went head-to-head with a senior player, both of them achieving more than 20 kills. Despite the team’s eventual loss to Truckee, that early experience gave Kristi the confidence to continue pushing herself.
One of Kristi’s proudest moments came during her junior year when her volleyball team, considered underdogs, won the regional championship. “We played Faith Lutheran, and they were so confident they’d win that they had already made their championship shirts,” Kristi said with a laugh. “But we took them to five sets, and I’ll never forget hitting the final point to win. It was such an incredible moment.” After defeating Faith Lutheran, the team went on to beat Moapa Valley, securing the championship. “Once we beat Faith, I knew we weren’t going to lose to Moapa,” she added. “Winning that regional title with my team was an amazing feeling.”
Her success in basketball followed a similar path. In her sophomore year, Kristi’s basketball team reached the state championship game, finishing as runners-up after losing to Spring Creek. “Just getting to state was a big deal,” Kristi said. “Even though we lost, that experience was unforgettable.” Her junior year, however, was more challenging. Despite being the favorites to win, her team fell short. “That was tough,” she said. “It was a frustrating loss, but it taught me that sometimes, even when you do everything right, things don’t always go your way.”
Kristi’s senior year brought new challenges when PVHS moved up to the 4A division, competing against much larger schools from Las Vegas. Despite being underestimated by many, her volleyball team made the playoffs, and Kristi earned all-conference honors in basketball. She also had the chance to play in an all-star game with some of the best players in the state. “Playing alongside athletes from schools like Bishop Gorman and Centennial was a great experience, and we crushed the other team,” she said with pride.
Her senior basketball season also had a personal significance. After longtime coach Bob Hopkins stepped down, Jason Odegard, a teacher at the school, stepped in to coach the team for Kristi’s final year. “Mr. Odegard told me that if I hadn’t been on the team, he wouldn’t have coached that year,” Kristi recalled. “He did it just for me, and I’ll never forget that. It meant so much because he stepped up for me when I needed it most.”
After high school, Kristi continued her volleyball career at Southern Utah University (SUU) for a year before transferring to BYU-Idaho, where she met her husband, Tallon Shreeve. The two married and eventually moved to Alaska, where they now live in the small town of Nenana with their four children—Nola, Orrin, Zyna, and Gema. Life in Alaska was a significant shift from Pahrump’s desert landscape, but Kristi and her family have embraced it. “Moving to Alaska was a big change from Pahrump, but I love it,” Kristi said, noting how the beauty and uniqueness of their remote community have become an integral part of her life.
Her children, each with their own vibrant personalities and features, are growing up in an active and adventurous household. Her oldest, Nola, is a tall redhead who just started sixth grade and has already begun her basketball season. Nola shares her mother’s athletic spirit, and Kristi is thrilled to see her daughter stepping onto the court, learning the same lessons Kristi did through sports. Orrin, her third grader, is also showing athletic promise. A strong, sturdy boy, Orrin takes after his father, who stands at 6’4”. Orrin is competitive by nature and has already dabbled in multiple sports, from basketball to wrestling and even hockey.
Zyna, the couple’s five-year-old daughter, has just entered kindergarten. Known for her strawberry-blonde hair and sassy personality, Zyna is the family’s “little princess.” Having grown up surrounded by her older siblings’ activities, she’s already showing an interest in sports herself, eager to keep up with Nola and Orrin. Lastly, Gema, their two-year-old, is a blonde, curly-haired bundle of energy with big blue eyes. Always on the go, Gema is curious about everything and doesn’t want to miss out on any family adventure. “She has serious FOMO,” Kristi joked. “Whenever I grab my keys, she’s right there crying to come along.”
In addition to raising her children in such an active, tight-knit community, Kristi has kept sports central to her life. She has coached volleyball for the past eight years and recently transitioned into coaching basketball—her first time coaching the sport she loves. “Coaching has been such a rewarding experience for me,” she shared. “I love the game, and I’m excited to take on the challenge of coaching basketball.” Watching her children grow up with the same passion for sports has only deepened her connection to the game, and she continues to foster their love for athletics while also giving back to the community.
Part of the reason Kristi felt compelled to step into the role of basketball coach was because of a senior player facing a similar situation to her own high school experience. The previous coach had retired, leaving the player at a crucial point in her athletic career without a coach. Just as Mr. Jason Odegard had stepped up for Kristi during her senior year at PVHS, she recognized how vital it was for someone to provide stability and support during such an important time. Seeing the player’s passion and dedication reminded Kristi of herself, and she felt it was her turn to give back. She wanted to ensure this athlete had the same chance at a fulfilling and successful final season, just as Odegard had done for her.
Though her days as a competitive athlete are behind her, Kristi’s love for the game has never wavered. “I’m determined to be that old lady still playing basketball until I can’t anymore,” she joked. Beyond her coaching duties, she regularly plays basketball and volleyball, organizing pick-up games in her small community. “Sports are just a part of who I am, and I love it. It’s not about reliving high school; it’s about the pure joy of playing and staying active.”
Kristi’s induction into the Hall of Fame is an honor she deeply values. It celebrates not only her accomplishments as an athlete but also the lasting impact that sports have had on her life. “It’s such an honor to be recognized for something that was such a big part of my life,” she said. The recognition also connects her to her family’s legacy at PVHS, as her father and uncle have already been inducted into the Hall of Fame.
As Kristi prepares to celebrate her induction, she looks back with gratitude on her time at PVHS. “The experiences I had there shaped who I am today,” she said. “From the friendships to the lessons I learned on the court, I’ll always be connected to Pahrump.”
