The Pahrump Valley High School tennis teams faced one of the toughest challenges of their season when they traveled to Las Vegas to take on Bishop Gorman, one of Nevada’s premier 5A programs, on Friday, August 29. Though the final scores favored the Gaels, the Trojans walked away with valuable experience, hard-fought points, and a stronger sense of where they stand heading into their league schedule.
On the girls’ side, the standout doubles pairing of Layla Burnell and Milly Khandpur secured two set victories to put points on the board for Pahrump. In singles, Chanel Anthony fought through a competitive match to add another point for the Trojans. While the girls fell short overall, their determination impressed their coach. “They all played hard and tried their best to win, but what’s most important is how much they learned,” Head Coach Michael Dela Rosa said. “Every match like this gives us a chance to practice, improve, and prepare for our league matchups.”
The boys’ team found more success, tallying six points against a deep Bishop Gorman roster. Leading the way was the doubles team of Bryce Dykstra and Juan Carlos Rodriguez, who picked up two set wins. Every Trojan singles player — including Sonny Skinner, Lucas Johnson and Jace Eichner — earned a set victory, contributing one point each. In addition, the tandem of Ethan Johnson and Nick Watson secured another point with a set win in doubles.
Coach Dela Rosa praised the boys’ effort, not just for the points earned but for their attitude on the court. “I’m proud of all of them for working hard and trying their best,” he said. “What really stood out was their sportsmanship and positive mindset, even against one of the best programs in the state. That’s what will carry us forward.”
While the Trojans left Las Vegas with losses in the team column, the matches proved to be a learning opportunity against a highly ranked opponent. The players gained confidence from their set wins and now shift focus to their upcoming league schedule, where those lessons will be put to use.
*Photos from games last season.
