The Pahrump Valley High School varsity volleyball team capped a successful night for the Trojan program with a straight-set victory over Cristo Rey at home Tuesday, Sept. 15.
Pahrump won the varsity match 25-5, 25-17 and 25-18 after the B team and junior varsity squad each earned two-set victories earlier in the evening. The B team defeated Cristo Rey 25-5, 25-22, while the JV team recorded wins of 25-15 and 25-14.
Henna Maiava helped the varsity Trojans establish control immediately, opening the match at the service line and delivering an ace for a 2-0 lead. Xe’ane Kamanu followed with a spike from the right side, and Riley Saldaña added a powerful attack from the left.
Olivia Veloz served for another Pahrump point before Kaitlyn Brown placed a tip onto the open middle of Cristo Rey’s court. Mahina Decambra then helped the Trojans pull away with a productive service run that included an ace.
Decambra also made a diving save during the run, helping Pahrump extend its lead to 9-3. Saldaña followed with a hard spike from the left side, while Miani Freitas-Faamai contributed a block and later put away a quick set from Maiava.
Evalenne Armendariz served as another quick set to Freitas-Faamai gave Pahrump a 15-4 advantage. Kamanu later tipped the ball over the net for a point before Sedona Norton took over at the service line. Veloz tipped the ball back across for a 21-5 lead, and Norton closed the dominant opening set with strong serving, including an ace on set point.
Cristo Rey began the second set with a 6-0 advantage, but the Trojans responded quickly. Kamanu ended the run with a spike, and Pahrump then scored five consecutive service points to tie the set at 6.
The Trojans moved in front following a long rally and a Cristo Rey double hit. Kamanu then placed consecutive aces in the back-right corner to give Pahrump a 10-6 lead and prompt a timeout.
Saldaña delivered a hard spike into the back-left corner when play resumed. Cristo Rey later worked its way back into the set, erasing a five-point deficit and tying the score at 13.
Pahrump regained the lead when Cristo Rey sent an attack into the net. Decambra served the next point as Freitas-Faamai blocked an attack, tipped the ball back across and helped force another Cristo Rey error. Maiava followed by returning the ball over the net for a 16-13 advantage.
Saldaña helped the Trojans extend the margin with a service run before Norton added another point from the line. Kamanu made a dig and then finished the same sequence with a spike for a 22-16 lead. She added another attack moments later, and a Cristo Rey rotation error brought Pahrump to set point.
A quick set to Veloz completed the 25-17 victory and gave the Trojans a two-set lead.
The third set was the most competitive of the match’s opening stages. Cristo Rey built a 7-3 advantage before Veloz put away a quick set and followed with strong serving. Freitas-Faamai converted another quick set, and Veloz delivered an ace to tie the score at 7.
Freitas-Faamai added another point at the net before consecutive Saldaña attacks moved Pahrump ahead 10-8. Decambra served an ace that rolled over the net, and Freitas-Faamai followed with a block.
Cristo Rey remained within three points at 14-11, but Armendariz kept a hard attack alive and Kamanu finished the play with a spike. Kamanu added another attack into the back middle of the court and later served an ace as the Trojans increased their lead to 18-13.
Veloz contributed a block, while Saldaña turned a set near the net into a forceful attack that found open floor for a 20-15 advantage. Decambra followed with an ace, and Saldaña added another spike.
A final quick set to Veloz brought Pahrump to match point before Maiava finished the night with an ace, securing the 25-18 win and completing a sweep for all three Trojan teams.
