By Mike Donahue

Moapa Valley Progress

Malary Reid, number 8, slams a powerful kill during the third game in the Pirates’ recent match against the Virgin Valley Bulldogs in Mesquite. Photo by Mike Donahue.

The Lady Pirates varsity volleyball team has been training extra hard this week getting ready for its division championship playoff Friday at 4 p.m. in Boulder City.

The Moapa Valley High School (MVHS) team is in second place, and with some hard work, dedication and perhaps a little luck will win a chance to fight for the state championship. Outside hitter Emma Eira has missed two recent games due to an injury and it’s hoped she’ll be back for the division playoffs.

The Pirates are fighting to get over an especially difficult past week, one of the worst the team has had this season, in which it lost to both its division rivals.

The Virgin Valley High School Bulldogs nipped the Pirates in a five-game match on Tuesday, Oct. 25, and the Boulder City Eagles crushed the MVHS team last Thursday.

The Eagles match in Boulder City lasted only quick three games, 9-25, 9-25 and 24-26, but for Coach Mandi Matheson, the third game was really the tell-all for the Pirates.

“Despite being down two games to nothing, we were able to regroup and nearly take the third game,” Matheson said. “We really came out the third game and played with heart. I think we were a little worried the first two games and Boulder City came out really hot. They have a lot of different weapons and they don’t make many mistakes.”

She said that in the third game, however, the Pirates showed they can stick with Boulder City.

“I want to highlight Malary Reid who played some very intense ball,” Matheson said. “She completely took control and made a significant difference.”

Reid’s six kills and four aces were an important factor in the match.

On Tuesday, Oct. 25 in Mesquite, the Lady Pirates just missed a win against the Virgin Valley High School Bulldogs. MVHS lost the five-game match 26-28, 25-23, 25-22, 23-25 and 8-15.

For much of the match, the Pirates, who trounced the Bulldogs three weeks ago on the MVHS court, were able to hold their own, but the Virgin Valley team players refused to accept defeat on their home court.

Assistant Virgin Valley Coach Ilima Sam Fong, sitting in for Coach Ilona Robison, was ecstatic over her team’s win.

“They played really, really good tonight,” Sam Fong said. “Although we had a couple of rough stretches serving, Halle Wakefield did an exceptional job. The girls really played with a lot of heart.”

Some notable statistics for the Bulldogs included 17 kills by Heidi Lister; 16 kills by Alora Bonner, and 36 assists and six kills by Nikki Arquette.

“They (the Bulldogs) really came to win,” Matheson said of her opponent. “Both sides struggled some with serving but Virgin Valley had some really good runs.

“I’m proud of the Pirates who made three honesty calls,” she added, which would have resulted in points for Moapa Valley.

Malary Reid was noted for 13 kills.