By Mike Donahue

Moapa Valley Progress

The Moapa Valley High School Lady Pirates varsity volleyball team showed a wildly supportive hometown crowd their “A” game last Friday in winning effort against division rival Virgin Valley High School.

The Pirates won handily, 25-18, 25-17, 22-25 and 25-16, and in the win showed the drive, poise and self assurance that has occasionally been lacking in their play – even in other victories. The team is now 1-1 in league play.

Several times during the intense match against Virgin Valley, the Pirates came from behind to catch and then surpass the Bulldogs to eventually win the game. The team maintained a winning can-do attitude throughout the exciting match.

“They kept their composure and confidence (despite being behind in points) and that made all the difference,” said Mandie Matheson, Pirates coach. “We were a team tonight. A complete team that gave the match 100 percent effort.”

Bulldogs Coach Ilona Robison also praised the Pirates.

“They came out ready to play and they did a great job,” she said.

The Bulldogs, too, played a good match, showing a lot of heart against a team decidedly determined to win.

“We had some good moments,” Robison said. “But they just played great tonight.”

Virgin Valley freshman Josie Grajek had an exceptional match with 13 digs, three kills, three aces and three blocks.

Notable statistics for the Pirates include 22 digs by Summer Owens; 13 digs and 10 kills by Emma Eira, and three blocks and three massive kills by Shelbie Gray.

The Friday effort eclipsed games earlier in the week, Monday, Oct. 10, and Wednesday, Oct. 12, where the Lady Pirates flip-flopped in two different matches against Las Vegas valley high schools.

Monday, the Pirates whipped the Liberty Patriots in Henderson in a quick three games 25-22, 25-19 and 25-11.

Matheson said standouts included Malary Reid who had 11 kills, two blocks and four aces, while McKenzie Staley had five aces.

Last Wednesday at home the MVHS team suffered a surprising defeat at the hands of the Clark Chargers who won in a four-game seesaw 25-22, 22-25, 25-16 and 25-21.

It was an unexpected loss for the Pirates who seemed unable to maintain the enthusiasm necessary to win during the match.

“We just didn’t come to play,” Matheson said of the game. “We fell short in several areas. We’ve got to start blocking better and defending our court. It’s been a while since we played a team that can hit and it really showed us areas we need to work on.”

Clark Coach Linda Silver had nothing but praise for her team.

“I was very happy with my girls,” Silver said. “Although we’ve struggled in games earlier this year, this time they managed to stay focused. Even when they fell behind they stayed with it and play exceptionally.”

She singled out Michelle Diamant, who had five kills, and Katie Kelly, with 20 assists, for their excellent play.