Pahrump falls to Spring Valley in close game that went to the wire

In the first half of the season, Spring Valley’s volleyball team rolled over Pahrump Valley in three games 25-17, 25-18 and 25-19. The Trojans (10-13 overall, 4-5 Sunset League) went down fighting last Tuesday.

The Lady Trojans got off to a good start by winning the first game. The girls never appeared overwhelmed or overpowered by the Grizzlies. The teams actually were evenly matched.

Trojans Coach Jill Harris believed her girls played a lot better than the first meeting with the Grizzlies.

“Well, in all fairness it was a better match than the first time we played them, they beat us 3-0 then,” Harris said. “Again, when matches go long or if they are close, sometimes we tense up and my more experienced players will try to do more. And not do what they should as well as they should. They try to cover for the less experienced when there is really no need. And on the flip side the less experienced will just let the experienced take their balls and they don’t call things that they should.”

The Grizzlies (8-4, 6-3) narrowly avoided defeat and barely won the fifth game 22-25, 25-20, 20-25, 25-21 and 15-10. All five games were close and could have gone either way.

The Trojans have a lot to look forward to because of the young players that hustle so much on the court. One of those players is Samantha Padilla, who was seen setting in game one. Harris said Padilla can set and plays as a defensive player.

“She hustles and generally reads the court fairly well,” the coach said.

Bethany Calvert is another such player that Harris is investing time in.

“The beauty of Bethany is I can put her in any spot for anyone and she will get the job done. She is what you would call a true utility player,” Harris said.

Pahrump is now tied for fourth place with Cheyenne (8-10, 4-5), and Mojave (12-8, 4-5). The Trojans played Western (1-12, 0-9), which was past deadline and play at Mojave on Monday at 6 p.m.