Bulldog volleyball in the running for 1st in league

By BOB SNELL

The Progress

The Virgin Valley High School boys volleyball team reached the 20-win mark after posting three victories last week.

The results also keep the Bulldogs tied with Valley High School of Las Vegas for the top spot in the 3A Desert League at 12-1. The Bulldogs hold the tiebreaker over the Vikings should the teams end the season tied for first place.

Virgin Valley (20-11 overall) played at rival Moapa Valley Monday night while Valley played Mater East Academy. Both matches ended past The Progress’ press deadline.

The Bulldogs opened last week by defeating American Leadership Academy of Las Vegas, 3-0, on Monday, April 22 at home. They followed up with a 3-0 win over Mater East Academy of Las Vegas on Tuesday inside the VVHS gymnasium before capping the week with a 3-2 triumph over 4A Bonanza in Las Vegas on Friday.

After playing as an independent last season where they were not eligible for the postseason, the Bulldogs are playoff bound in just their second year as a program.

“It’s exciting for us,” VVHS head coach Kortney Tobler said. “We set some goals for this season and we’ve done most of the things we wanted to do. We’ve played a lot of games and played some really good teams. We’ve learned a lot.”

Virgin Valley will host Canyon Springs of North Las Vegas in the regular-season finale on Wednesday at 6 pm before moving on to postseason play which begins May 7.
“It was hard last year knowing we couldn’t qualify for the postseason,” Tobler said. “This year, it was good to have something to look forward to.”

The Bulldogs defeated American Heritage, who is playing an independent schedule, by scores of 25-7, 25-8 and 25-13.

Nate Panjaitan led Virgin Valley with 11 service aces and 11 digs while Andrew Muniz recorded 13 digs and Aiden Muniz nine digs. Alonzo Roque chipped in with 10 aces with Parker Jensen getting nine kills and Destry Tobler eight.

Against Mater East, Virgin Valley won by scores of 25-18, 25-13 and 25-22.
Panjaitan recorded 17 assists while Aiden Muniz had 12 digs and three service aces. Andrew Muniz added eight digs and three aces with McKay Mulitalo also notching three aces. Jensen pitched in with seven kills.

Virgin Valley came away with a win over 4A Bonanza by scores of 23-25, 25-14, 25-16, 23-25 and 15-11.

Panjaitan recorded 38 assists and had eight digs for the Bulldogs. Mulitalo had 10 kills, four aces and 11 digs while Destry Tobler had 16 kills and 12 digs. Bryant Denninghoff and Jensen each recorded seven kills with Andrew Muniz was credited with 15 digs and Aiden Muniz nine digs.
“We’re feeling good about our season,” Tobler said. “We’re right where we need to be.”

If the Bulldogs finish first place in the Desert League, they will host a state quarterfinal game on May 7.