The Trojans volleyball team had a strong second day showing at the Las Vegas Invitational to finish the tournament 4-4.
On Friday at Foothill in Henderson, the team played some tough Division I schools, which was reflected in their three losses. Pahrump Valley lost to Lake Elsinore, California, 25-17, 25-14. They then lost to Shadow Ridge (North Las Vegas) 25-16, 25-9, and Silverado (Henderson), 25-9, 25-20.
Trojans coach Jill Harris believed her team played exceptionally well against the bigger schools despite the scores.
“We were in these games and we didn’t get blown out,” Harris said.
The team went to Rancho in North Las Vegas on Saturday, and winning four games and losing one. In pool play, the Trojans beat Tech, 25-12, 25-20, and Las Vegas High 22-25, 25-9, 16-14, before losing to Boulder City, 25-15, 25-23.
The top two teams advanced from pool play, placing Pahrump Valley against Van Nuys from California. After winning both matches to set up a rematch with Boulder City, the Trojans won 26-24, 14-25 and 15-4.
Harris had praise for seniors Lauren Koenig and Sam Padilla.
“Koenig just had a great tournament,” Harris said. “She is hitting smart and hitting really well and she’s playing like a brand new player. Padilla was playing well too and hitting hard.”
Harris said her varsity team is off this week, but is not afraid of losing any momentum.
“This year our practices are better,” she said. “We have enough players to make our practices competitive and intense and we are spending less time on going over basic skills.”
The coach likes the fact that her junior varsity team is competitive with the varsity team during practice. The junior varsity team will be going to the Harvey Gonzalez Memorial tournament in Tonopah on Saturday and they will be playing Division IV varsity teams.
The next varsity match will be away against Sierra Vista on Sept. 16. The first home game will be against Spring Valley on Sept.18 at 6 p.m.