Lady Panthers win Beatty volleyball championships

Both the varsity and junior varsity volleyball squads from Pahranagat Valley High School won the Beatty preseason tournament championship, with the varsity Panthers going undefeated en route to the title.

On Saturday, Aug. 22, the Lady Panthers came back from a 25-21 first-set loss to Word of Life Christian Academy to win the next two sets 25-17 and 15-11.

“We beat them because we worked on finding their weakness. They have a dominant middle blocker, and she hits incredible, but when she was not on the front row we really worked their defense and would stress scoring while she was out,” PVHS head coach Milly Walch explained.

The Lady Panthers played three games Friday, beating Mineral County and Round Mountain twice. On Saturday, PVHS toppled Tonopah, Word of Life and the Pahrump Valley JV team.

“I was proud of the girls and the program. They work hard. Allie Lasike and Rylee Lewis, our seniors, really showed leadership and strength in the tournament,” Walch said. “Sophomore Lia Rowley had multiple kills, and Zoey Lasike had blocks that were a huge part of our success. Also Reagan Shumway, our libero, hustled and had good digs and passes, allowing us to have good offense.”

The Lady Panthers started the season 0-4 but have turned it around with their six straight victories in Beatty and a 3-0 win at Liberty Baptist on Tuesday, Aug. 25. The team plays at Beaver Dam on Thursday, Aug. 27, at 4 p.m. PVHS hosts Laughlin on Sept. 1 at 5 p.m.