Photo by Angela Glaubitz

By Dave Belcher

Moapa Valley Progress

After a year when the Lady Pirate Volleyball Team struggled going 11-21, Coach Mandie Matheson and her team are now looking forward to a new season and a fresh start. Matheson is pleased to bring a lot of experience back to the upcoming season from last year’s team.

Shelbie Gray, Ashley Noto, Kassandrya Goodman, Summer Owens, Sierra Kimbrough, Malory Reid and Tabitha Witsken will bring some height to the team which is something the Pirates were lacking last year.

In addition two foreign exchange students have joined the team and are expected to bring in some experience that will help Moapa challenge for the top spot in the southern 3A.

Mackenzie Staley (Jr.) who will control the offense at setter will set the pace for a team working to reach the state playoffs again.

“This group of girls are dedicated and hardworking and, with that combination, we are looking for good things to come from this season,” Matheson said.

Boulder City represented the south last year with the win over Virgin Valley in the southern league championship match. They then were beaten by Dayton in three-straight to end their season in the state tournament.

Dayton was beaten by Truckee 3-1 as Truckee won the state championship for the second year in a row. Truckee’s record was 32-4 going undefeated in league play and losing only 17 games all season.

One of their losses came to Yerington. The 2A champion shut Truckee out 2-0.

The Wolverines lost four from last year’s team and will be in strong contention to win their third title in a row come November.

State runner-up Dayton lost 8 and will be rebuilding.

Virgin Valley was senior-laden last season and will be in transition this season, but with their program strengthening each year this may be a three team race to the finish.

Boulder City has a tough setter and a couple hitters who will make things interesting for the Eagles.

For full schedule click here.