By BOB SNELL
The Progress
Virgin Valley High School honored its senior volleyball athletes before taking the floor to face Eldorado High School of Las Vegas on Wednesday night, Oct. 20.
In the last home match of the season, it was only fitting that the seniors helped lead the way for the Lady Bulldogs in a 3-1 victory over the Sundevils inside the VVHS gymnasium.
The Lady Bulldogs prevailed by scores of 25-16, 25-10, 27-29 and 25-20. The win improves Virgin Valley to 4-3 in 3A South Desert League play and 5-16 overall.
Alex Covarrubias, Calla Haviland, Hana Iverson, Nina Miramontes, Laila Ponce, and Elsa Whipple were honored in a pregame ceremony before playing their final home match for Virgin Valley.
“Tonight, was all about our seniors,” VVHS head coach Robert Nelson said. “Most of them played almost the entire match. It was a nice way for them to go out.”
Strong serving by Haviland and sophomore Reggi Frei, along with kills from Haviland and Whipple, helped take Virgin Valley to a 16-11 lead in the first game.
Leading 20-16, Haviland served out the final five points, including two aces, and a block at the net by Iverson, to give VVHS the win.
The Lady Bulldogs led 13-10 in the second game before going on a 12-0 run to close it out. Sophomore Kinzley Lee served all 12 points, which included two aces. Junior Evia Toone and Iverson had two kills each during the run and Haviland had one kill.
Virgin Valley was one point away from sweeping the Sundevils in the third game. The Lady Bulldogs led 24-20 before Eldorado rallied to pull out a 29-27 win to force a fourth game.
Leading 13-11, the Lady Bulldogs got two kills apiece from Haviland, Iverson and Frei to grab a 22-15 advantage. Eldorado got back within 23-20, but kills by Frei and Haviland ended the match.
Haviland was outstanding in her home finale, recording 13 kills, 10 digs and nine service aces. Frei had 11 digs, seven kills and four aces while Covarrubias added 11 digs and Iverson had five kills and three aces. Ponce recorded 18 assists and four digs with Marian Leavitt notching eight assists and Miramontes six digs.
Earlier in the week, Virgin Valley fell to Coral Academy of Science-Las Vegas, 3-0, in a match at home. CASLV won by scores of 25-16, 25-23 and 25-20.
Haviland led VVHS with 18 digs and seven kills with Frei adding 11 digs and five kills and Leavitt recording 13 assists.
The Lady Bulldogs will close out the regular season on Thursday in Overton against rival Moapa Valley.
