Coach Veronica Montanez has been passionately shaping the future of volleyball for the past couple of years at Pahrump Valley High School. With an impressive background as a former PVHS varsity athlete in volleyball, basketball, and softball, Coach Montanez brings a wealth of experience to her role. “My first love has always been volleyball,” she shared. “It’s indoors, the girls are amazing, and it’s a sport that truly resonates with me.” Her commitment to the sport and her desire to build a year-round program have been the driving forces behind her coaching career.
Coach Montanez’s journey began at Pahrump Valley High School and although she received an offer to play libero at UNLV, she chose to pursue softball at SUU. Despite this, volleyball remained her true passion. “I wanted to build this program to where we have a year-round program,” she explained. “I want to offer girls the opportunity to try to earn their spot on college teams, just like in bigger cities like Las Vegas.”
Her coaching philosophy has been shaped by her own experiences and the inspiration she received from long-time coach Jill Harris. “I’ve been watching her coach for years,” she said. “You have to understand each player’s personality to create a successful program.” Coach Montanez’s approach emphasizes understanding, patience, and continuous learning. “We learn from each other constantly,” she added, highlighting the importance of a supportive and inclusive team culture.
Coach Montanez’s journey as a coach began with the junior varsity team before moving up to the varsity team. This year marks her second year as the head varsity coach. She credits much of her success to her assistant coach, Arlette Newvine, who played as a starting setter in junior college. “Benefiting from her experience has been tremendous,” she said.
Looking ahead to the upcoming season, Coach Montanez has set ambitious goals for her team. “Our primary goal is to make it to regionals,” she stated. “There’s a lot of good competition in our division, but I believe we are going to surprise a lot of people this year.” To achieve this, she has been focusing on skill development through private lessons and specialized training sessions. “We’ve been having private lessons for middles, outsides, and setters,” she explained. “It’s about nitpicking and perfecting their skills.”
Coach Montanez is excited about the potential of her players, particularly standout athletes like Xeane, a power outside hitter who moved to Pahrump from Liberty High School in Las Vegas, and Riley Saldana, another power outside. She also highlighted the leadership of senior setter Belen Ramirez, who, along with Bryn Mazlo, ensures their teammates stay on track both academically and athletically. “My middles, Marayah Waller and Heavenly Ware, are flyers up the middle,” she added. “Sedona Norton, a freshman, has proven herself to be varsity-level quality.”
One of the critical aspects of Coach Montanez’s approach is maintaining a drama-free environment. “No drama is what I have learned the past three years,” she emphasized. “These girls are meshing and clicking together, and it’s amazing.” She attributes much of the team’s positive culture to the support of the fans and administration. “Our fans and admin have been incredibly supportive,” she noted.
To build a successful high school team, Coach Montanez focuses on conditioning, communication, and team bonding. “We’ve been doing a lot of footwork, conditioning, and running,” she said. “The girls are expected to run 3 miles per week, and I believe they will be well-prepared for the long games.”
In addition to her regular coaching duties, Coach Montanez organizes special events like the “Pink Out” game to support breast cancer awareness. She also encourages her players to participate in community service through various school clubs. “Our girls are involved in different clubs, and they do their community service whenever they can,” she explained.
As the team prepares for the season, Coach Montanez is particularly looking forward to matches against Boulder City and The Meadows. “I really think our girls are going to be able to match up this year,” she said. “Boulder City lost a couple of power hitters, and I believe we can challenge these teams.”
Coach Montanez measures success beyond wins and losses by focusing on continuous improvement and progression. “Once we lose our first game, we will see what we need to work on and make adjustments from there,” she explained.
Supporting her in this journey are assistant coaches Arlette Newvine, Angelica Thomassian (JV coach), and Kaylee Hargis (B team coach). “We are looking for one more assistant JV coach to help out,” she added.
For aspiring young volleyball players, Coach Montanez’s advice is simple: practice constantly and work hard. “You have to work to go to the next level,” she said. “Practice as much as you can and be committed.”
As the season approaches, Coach Montanez is enthusiastic about the team’s potential and grateful for the support of the fans and community. “It’s going to be a long ride and a fun ride,” she said. “Thank you for always supporting the Pahrump Valley High School varsity volleyball program.”
