Pahrump Valley Volleyball Battles Through Back-to-Back Challenges

The Pahrump Valley High School volleyball team endured a challenging week of back-to-back contests, hosting the Moapa Valley Pirates on Monday, September 8, before traveling to face The Meadows Mustangs on Wednesday, September 10. Though both matches ended 3-0 in favor of their opponents, the Trojans fought through every point and showed growth on the court.

Against Moapa Valley, the Trojans opened strong in the first set. Sedona Norton delivered an ace to tie the game at 3-3, while Heavenly Ware contributed a dig and a kill to keep her team close. Xe’ane Kamanu and Riley Saldaña attacked aggressively at the net, and a block from Henna Maiava and Miani Freitas-Faamai gave Pahrump momentum during a long rally. The Trojans stayed neck-and-neck, highlighted by a kill from Marayah Waller and an ace serve from Myah Krolczyk to even the score at 10-10. As the set tightened in the late stages, kills from Ware, Kamanu, and Saldaña kept the energy high, but the Pirates pulled away to secure the opener, 25-22.

The second set began with Moapa Valley on the attack, but Pahrump answered with a block from Saldaña and a pair of kills by Ware. Kamanu chipped in with a well-placed spike, and Dalton added an ace to swing the score even at 6-6. Rodriguez stepped up at the service line, helping the Trojans build a 13-9 advantage while Ware unleashed three straight kills to fire up the home crowd. Waller and Maiava each contributed at the net, keeping volleys alive and converting for points. The set turned into a back-and-forth battle, with Norton serving an ace to put Pahrump ahead 20-19. Kamanu added back-to-back kills late, but Moapa answered with a late surge to edge out a 26-24 win.

In the third set, Pahrump again came out sharp. Waller opened with a kill, followed by another from Ware to establish a 2-0 lead. Kamanu added a strong kill and later an ace, while Freitas-Faamai and Mendoza kept the defense steady. Dalton served another ace as the Trojans fought to stay within striking distance. Waller’s block and Ware’s tip-in gave the Trojans a lift midway through the set, but Moapa Valley’s power proved too much in the end, as they claimed the final frame 25-16.

Two nights later, the Trojans traveled to Las Vegas to take on The Meadows Mustangs. Pahrump started with promise, as Ware served an ace and Saldaña connected on a kill early in the first set. Norton also added an ace, while Kamanu and Waller kept pressure on the net with spikes and blocks. Despite those efforts, Meadows capitalized on miscues to take the opener 25-17.

The second set was tougher for the Trojans. Dalton served an ace and Mendoza provided defensive saves, but the Mustangs strung together a series of kills and aces to build a commanding lead. Ware broke through with a spike to the center of the floor, and Norton responded with another ace, but Meadows closed out the frame 25-11.

In the third set, Pahrump showed resilience. Waller recorded a block to open play, and Saldaña hustled to the sideline and even into the bleachers to save possessions. Krolczyk added an ace to keep the Trojans within reach, while Kamanu and Ware each registered kills during extended rallies. Mendoza and Maiava worked hard on defense, setting up opportunities at the net. Although the Mustangs eventually sealed the set 25-19, the Trojans demonstrated determination and teamwork until the final point.

Despite the week’s results, the Trojans displayed fight across every set, with contributions from Norton, Dalton, Ware, Waller, Saldaña, Rodriguez, Maiava, Freitas-Faamai, Krolczyk, Mendoza, and Kamanu. With competitive play against two seasoned programs, Pahrump Valley continues to build confidence and experience that will serve them well as league play continues.