The Pahrump Valley High School junior varsity girls’ volleyball team continued its early-season schedule Tuesday, Sept. 1, traveling to Boulder City for a matchup with the Eagles. The Trojans stayed competitive throughout both sets, putting together several productive stretches before Boulder City earned the 25-18, 25-19 victory.
Pahrump opened the match on a strong note when Ariana Apolinar stepped to the service line and delivered an ace for the first point of the evening. Boulder City responded with a run to take the lead, but the Trojans continued working to close the gap.
Abigail “Abbey” Sutton and Bentlee Chiancone helped Pahrump generate points from the service line. Chiancone put Boulder City under pressure with a serve the Eagles were unable to return, while Sutton contributed during several rotations as the Trojans worked their way back into the set.
After falling behind 22-13 late in the opener, Pahrump put together one of its better stretches of the set. The Trojans took advantage of Boulder City errors and continued battling through longer rallies, cutting into the deficit before the Eagles eventually closed out the set 25-18.
Pahrump carried that fight into the second set and quickly established an early advantage. Apolinar again opened from the service line, and Kyrstin Whimple followed with an attack into the back court to give the Trojans a 2-0 lead. Aviana Michel then helped extend the advantage from the service line.
One of the biggest reactions from the Pahrump bench came when Sutton found open court with a well-placed tip near the net. She later took over serving with the Trojans trailing 6-5 and helped turn the score around. Boulder City was unable to return three consecutive serves as Pahrump moved in front 9-6.
The second set remained close through the middle stages. After Boulder City worked its way back to an 11-11 tie, the teams traded points and neither was able to immediately create much separation. Michel later delivered an ace that put Pahrump ahead 14-13 before the Eagles answered to even the score.
Boulder City eventually gained some breathing room late in the set, but Pahrump continued looking for opportunities to extend the match. Charisma Woodard scored with a tip over the net during the closing stretch, and the Trojans picked up another point when the Eagles sent an attack into the net with match point looming.
Boulder City ultimately finished the second set 25-19 to take the match, but Pahrump’s ability to stay within striking distance for much of the set gave the young Trojans another opportunity to gain valuable experience on the road.
*Photos are available at pvcnphotos.com.
