Pahrump Valley High School is preparing to make history this spring as the Trojans debut their first-ever Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association (NIAA) sanctioned boys volleyball team. While a boys volleyball club has existed in recent years, the 2026 season marks the first time the program will compete officially at the high school level — a milestone many student-athletes have been working toward for years.
Leading the inaugural team is Head Coach Amber Lugo, who also serves as the school’s girls volleyball coach. Although Lugo was not involved during the club years, she has quickly recognized the passion and dedication that helped bring the sport to this point.
“This has been something a lot of these boys have wanted for a really long time,” Lugo said during early tryouts. “They’ve been waiting for the opportunity to finally have a real season.”
Tryouts officially began after a series of open gyms, which proved challenging to schedule around the winter sports season, particularly basketball. Despite limited gym availability early on, Lugo said the turnout and enthusiasm have been encouraging. The program held its first formal tryout over the weekend, followed by a second session where coaches were able to begin evaluating players more closely.
“We definitely have some leaders out there,” Lugo said. “What you saw on one court was all seniors — a group that’s been pushing for this opportunity for years.”
That senior leadership will play a major role in establishing the foundation of the program. Many of the upperclassmen have spent significant time developing their skills independently, often practicing together at local parks regardless of weather or conditions while waiting for the sport to gain official recognition.
“They have been working so hard kind of on their own,” Lugo said. “They’ve weathered the weather and the time to finally have this, so it’s going to be fun to be able to have that season with them.”
While the seniors provide experience and leadership, the program is already showing promising depth across grade levels. Tryouts featured a second court made up primarily of freshmen, sophomores, and juniors, signaling early growth potential for the sport at PVHS.
Lugo anticipates fielding both a varsity and junior varsity team this season, with approximately 10 players on each roster. Although varsity will feature a strong senior presence, younger players may also earn opportunities at the higher level as the coaching staff evaluates talent and team needs.
“I hope it catches on here and we can continue to add more athletes,” Lugo said. “This is about growing the program.”
Supporting Lugo on the coaching staff is Andy Bishop, who will oversee the junior varsity squad. Rather than operating separately, the two coaches plan to work collaboratively throughout the season.
“We’re going to work together and help each other,” Lugo said. “Pretty much she’s my assistant, and I’m her assistant.”
As a first-year program, PVHS will face opponents from Las Vegas-area schools that have already established boys volleyball teams over several seasons. Lugo acknowledges that experience gap but remains optimistic about the team’s development.
“What they lack in skill right now, they definitely make up in enthusiasm,” she said. “My hope is just to continue improving — both on the court and with their volleyball IQ.”
One of the most encouraging moments for Lugo came during early tryouts when she was finally able to provide individualized coaching and immediate feedback after large open gym sessions earlier in the preseason.
“Today was the first day I really got to break them into groups and coach individually,” she said. “Seeing how they responded to that made me even more excited.”
The Trojans will get their first taste of competition during a preseason scrimmage at Eldorado High School, where both varsity and junior varsity squads are expected to see action. The scrimmage will serve as an important early measuring stick as players adjust to structured competition and team systems.
PVHS is currently scheduled to open its inaugural season on March 4, when they face Coral Academy at home — a fitting start for a program years in the making.
For Lugo, the focus this season extends beyond wins and losses. Establishing culture, building fundamentals, and creating long-term sustainability are the true goals of year one.
“This is just the beginning,” she said. “We want to build something that keeps growing.”
As the Trojans prepare to take the court for the first official boys volleyball season in school history, the excitement surrounding the program reflects more than just a new sport — it represents persistence, student-driven passion, and the start of a new tradition at Pahrump Valley High School.
