The Pahrump Valley High School gym glowed with shades of pink on Thursday night as fans gathered for the annual “Pink Game” in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It was a night filled with energy, spirit, and teamwork—culminating in a clean sweep for all three Trojans volleyball teams, with the B Team, Junior Varsity, and Varsity each earning well-deserved wins against Cristo Rey.
The evening opened with the B Team showing poise and determination from the first serve. Ariana Apolinar started strong, delivering multiple aces that quickly built momentum. Isabella Calixto and Kendra Jones helped the Trojans maintain control at the net, while Skye Plunkett and Abigail Sutton kept plays alive in the back row. Cristo Rey fought to close the gap midway through the first set, but the Trojans surged ahead again behind Apolinar’s serving run that included several consecutive aces. When Sutton stepped to the line late in the set, she sealed the win 25–14 with an ace of her own.
In the second set, Marely Gomez’s smart placement and Aviana Michel’s consistent serving gave Pahrump the edge early. Despite a few moments of miscommunication and net violations that allowed Cristo Rey to rally, the Trojans’ confidence never wavered. Jones landed an ace to put her team back in control, and Gomez followed with a hard-hit ball that found open floor. The Trojans maintained their rhythm, closing out another 25–14 win as Apolinar’s serving once again proved too tough to handle.
As the B Team celebrated, the Junior Varsity squad took the court ready to keep the streak alive. Autumn Colon opened the first set with a series of aces that energized the crowd and forced Cristo Rey to call an early timeout. The combination of setter Kaitlyn Brown and hitter McKinsey Nottingham worked to perfection, with quick sets leading to well-timed spikes that caught the defense off guard. Cristo Rey gained some traction late, narrowing the gap to 22–20, but Olivia Veloz responded with a powerful spike that landed deep in the back row to push Pahrump to a 25–20 win.
The second set tested the Trojans’ composure early as Cristo Rey jumped to a 3–0 lead. But Pahrump quickly regrouped, with Nottingham and Sarah Penner each delivering crucial serves to swing the momentum. Brown’s smart tipping at the net and Alyvia Morin’s digs kept the Trojans in control. Veloz and Emily Zaragoza both came up big late, with spikes that ricocheted off Cristo Rey’s blockers to extend the lead. Colon finished things off at the service line as Pahrump took the second set 25–18, securing the match and another win for the program.
When the Varsity team stepped onto the court, the energy in the gym reached its peak. Madison Rodriguez opened the match with a long rally that ended in a thunderous spike from Heavenly Ware, setting the tone for what would be a dominant performance. Marayah Waller followed with a soft tip that dropped untouched, while setter Sedona Norton kept the tempo fast, feeding quick sets to Miani Freitas-Faamai and Xe’ane Kamanu. Nala Dalton’s serving streak—highlighted by back-to-back aces—helped the Trojans take control early, and they never looked back, taking the first set 25–13.
In the second, Cristo Rey tightened up defensively and challenged the Trojans with several strong volleys. But Pahrump’s balance shined through. Kamanu’s spikes found the corners, and Freitas-Faamai powered through blocks for key points. Dalton and Norton continued to serve tough, while Waller and Ware patrolled the net with aggressive blocks and quick recoveries. Cristo Rey managed a few late points, but the Trojans held firm, claiming the set 25–19.
The final set showcased the full force of the Trojans’ attack. Ware opened with a serving run that put Cristo Rey on their heels, while Kamanu delivered back-to-back kills that ignited cheers from the stands. Henna Maiava’s aces widened the gap as Sedona Norton and Riley Saldaña connected for well-executed plays at the net. Waller hammered home a cross-court spike to make it 21–10, and moments later, Kamanu finished the match with a decisive kill to the back line for a 25–10 sweep.
While every team celebrated their victories, the evening carried a deeper meaning. The “Pink Game” served as a tribute to breast cancer awareness, honoring survivors, remembering those lost, and standing in support of families affected. Players wore pink, symbolizing strength and unity beyond the sport.
From start to finish, the night was a celebration of skill, spirit, and purpose. The Trojans didn’t just sweep Cristo Rey—they played with heart, pride, and the shared belief that together, they can conquer anything, both on and off the court.
