The Pahrump Valley High School Trojans varsity volleyball team traveled to Cristo Rey on Thursday, September 4, and left with a decisive 3-0 victory. The win was marked by consistent serving, aggressive net play, and contributions across the roster, as the Trojans steadily wore down the Royals in straight sets.
The opening set saw Cristo Rey jump ahead 3-0 after a serve the Trojans couldn’t return and a couple of hitting errors at the net. Pahrump quickly regrouped when Xe’ane Kamanu hammered a spike from the back line that dropped into the middle of the Royals’ defense. Sedona Norton then stepped up to serve, delivering an ace that tied the score at 4-4 before adding another to swing momentum. From there, the Trojans built a steady lead with Riley Saldaña’s sharp hitting and Amaliah Mendoza’s finishing touch on a well-placed spike. Madison Rodriguez delivered a run of tough serves, including an ace, to stretch the lead, while Miani Fretas-Faamai added points with both power and finesse at the net. Heavenly Ware closed out the first set with a commanding spike down the line, sealing a 25-16 win for the Trojans.
In the second set, Pahrump came out more settled and immediately put Cristo Rey on the defensive. Kamanu’s return dropped in for an early point, followed by Ware’s serve that clipped the net and fell in for another score. With Nala Dalton setting up Waller for a clean kill, the Trojans pushed out to a 5-2 lead. Saldaña added a cross-court spike that forced a timeout from Cristo Rey, but the Trojans only tightened their grip. Fretas-Faamai was a force at the net, tipping balls just over blockers and finding holes in the Royals’ defense. Norton continued to apply pressure with her serves, while Kamanu kept attacking from the outside. The Royals tried to claw back late, but Myah Krolczyk stepped to the line and delivered consecutive aces to bring the Trojans to set point. Pahrump held firm to take the second set 25-13.
Cristo Rey made a push to start the third, taking an early 3-0 advantage with aggressive serving. But the Trojans again showed resilience. Waller tipped a ball just over for their first point, and Fretas-Faamai answered with a pair of timely kills to tie the set. Kamanu regained momentum with a spike that the Royals couldn’t return, while Dalton and Mendoza combined for quick plays at the net to keep Pahrump in front. As the set wore on, Ware dominated with back-to-back kills, including one that landed deep inbounds to silence Cristo Rey’s rally. Even when service errors cut into the lead, the Trojans stayed composed. With the score at 23-16, Kamanu’s serving and Ware’s attacking presence helped finish the job, as the Trojans closed the set 25-16 to secure the sweep.
From Norton’s reliable aces, to Rodriguez’s strong serving runs, to the combined front-row presence of Kamanu, Ware, Waller, Saldaña, Fretas-Faamai, and Mendoza, the Trojans displayed a true team effort. Every rotation offered a new threat, and Dalton’s steady setting gave hitters opportunities to score from all angles. The straight-sets win on the road underscored Pahrump Valley’s ability to adjust quickly and maintain control throughout the match.
The Trojans will look to carry this momentum into their next contests, where they’ll aim to keep showcasing the depth, energy, and precision that earned them a sweep against Cristo Rey.
