2018 Girls Volleyball Capsule Previews
(As submitted by coaches)
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ARBOR VIEW
League: Class 4A Mountain
Head coach: Nicole Adarme, first season
2017 record: 14-14 (6-7 4A Sunset/eighth)
Returning letter winners (starters): Five (four)
Top athletes: S Sadae Cintron (Sr.), OH Aleiya Cintron (Jr.), MH Bailey Olbur (Jr.), OH Alina Oranchak (Jr.)
Outlook: Adarme, who was Durango’s boys volleyball coach in the spring, takes over the Aggies’ program.
She has five returning letter winners with whom to work.
“The 2018 team has already come in competitive and hard working,” Adarme said. “While we are a young team with nine juniors and five seniors, the grit and focus that is already being established in the gym will help us in the goal of getting better every day.”
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BASIC
League: Class 4A Desert
Head coach: Robin Wood, 14th season
2017 record: 8-7 (5-5 4A Sunrise/sixth)
Returning letter winners (starters): Six (three)
Outlook: The Wolves bring back three starters from a team that split its 10 Sunrise League matches last year.
Basic hopes to remain competitive this year.
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BEATTY
League: Class 1A Southern
Head coach: Steven Sullivan, sixth season
2017 record: 9-7 (6-2 1A Southern/third)
Returning letter winners (starters): Two (two)
Top athletes: Angie Altman (Sr.), Adriana Gil (Jr.)
Outlook: The Hornets advanced to the Class 1A Southern League semifinals last year, but bring back only two players from that team.
“With only two returning letter winners, our team will be relying on a lot of young talent to step up,” Sullivan said. “This year will be challenging, but the team’s outlook is positive. We look forward to the challenge.”
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BONANZA
League: Class 4A Mountain
Head coach: Elizabeth Rice, third season
2017 record: 15-19 (3-10 4A Sunset/11th)
Returning letter winners (starters): Four (one)
Top athletes: LIB Sydney Harner (So.)
Outlook: Harner, who had 307 digs last season, returns to lead the defense of a squad that doesn’t have a ton of varsity experience.
“This year we will have a young and energetic team that will be learning a lot and will be creating a foundation for the future,” Rice said.
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BOULDER CITY
League: Class 3A Sunrise
Head coach: Kurt Bailey, first season
2017 record: 28-15 (10-2 3A Sunrise/second)
Returning letter winners (starters): Eight (six)
Top athletes: OH Kamry Bailey (So.), MB Reagan Herr (Jr.), S Ava Wright (So.), OPP Sierra Orton (So.)
Outlook: The Eagles captured their first state title since 1989 last year, but lost some key seniors from that squad.
“The team will be a very young team again this year composed of mostly sophomores,” Kurt Bailey said. “Our hope is to use last year’s experience from the postseason to help us get back to the postseason.”
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CHAPARRAL
League: Class 3A Sunrise
Head coach: A.J. Coleman, first season
2017 record: 4-10 (2-10 3A Sunrise, sixth)
Returning letter winners (starters): Four (two)
Top athletes: MH Bree’Jahn Banks (Jr.), OH I’asia Mack (Jr.), Jaqueline Bautista-Rosales (Jr.)
Outlook: Coleman takes over a squad that brings back only two starters.
“We have a pretty young group this year, and I think we are going to battle through some growing pains as the season progresses on,” Coleman said. “If we continue to work hard daily to compete and learn, then there is a good chance we can take what may be perceived as a rebuilding year and turn it into a successful season.”
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CHEYENNE
League: Class 4A Mountain
Head coach: John Armstrong, seventh season
2017 record: 22-12 (8-2 3A Sunset/second)
Returning letter winners (starters): Five (four)
Top athletes: OH Miya Burns (Sr.), OH Tia Echols (Sr)
Outlook: The Desert Shields bring back four starters from a 22-win team last year.
“Moving up to the 4A division this year is going to be tough, but we expect to still win plenty of games, get an eight- or nine seed for playoffs and try to advance as far as possible,” Armstrong said.
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CIMARRON-MEMORIAL
League: Class 4A Mountain
Head coach: Sopheap Khuon, second season
2017 record: 12-12 (4-9 4A Sunset/10th)
Returning letter winners (starters): Five (three)
Top athletes: S Destiny Garcia (Sr.), OH Natasha Obradovic (So.), LIB Andrea Aldaco (Jr.)
Outlook: The Spartans return just three starters from last year’s squad.
“The Spartans will be a young, hard-working and motivated team with goals to be very competitive this season,” Khuon said. “Also our goal is to ensure that our athletes work hard and play hard in the classroom and on the court.”
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CORONADO
League: Class 4A Desert
Head coach: Matt Johnson, 10th season
2017 record: 27-10 (10-0 4A Sunrise/first)
Returning letter winners (starters): Nine (six)
Top athletes: MB/OH Sasha Bolla (Sr.), S Cassandra Smits-Van Oyen (So.), MB Ashlynn Ammerman (Sr.), OH/OPP McCallister Gayle (Sr.)
Outlook: Last year’s Sunrise Region champions bring back six starters and three additional letter winners.
“We have a great mix of experienced players and talented newcomers,” Johnson said. “Our goal is the same as it is every year, to be playing volleyball together into the seconnd week of November.”
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DEL SOL
League: Class 3A Sunset
Head coach: Lisa Garry, third season
2017 record: 0-13 (0-12 3A Sunrise/seventh)
Returning letter winners (starters): Five (two)
Top athletes: S Genessa Galibut (Sr.), S/OH Julie Robles (Sr.), MB/OH Paige Birch (Sr.), OH/S Riley Jenkins (So.)
Outlook: The Dragons bring back five letter winners and hope for better results this year.
“The Lady Dragons are looking forward to a strong season, making a comeback from a rough 2017 season,” Garry said. “The team is ready to work together, communicate and win.”
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DESERT OASIS
League: Class 4A Desert
Head coach: Nick Porter, fifth season
2017 record: 6-25 (2-11 4A Sunset/12th)
Returning letter winners (starters): Five (three)
Top athletes: OH Kiersten Kuresa (Jr.), OH Sophia Parlanti (So.), OPP/MB Paige Parlanti (Fr.), S Nathalie Van (Fr.)
Outlook: The Diamondbacks return five letter winners as they hope to continue their building process.
“Overall, our outlook for this season is very promising. We have three seniors that have been in the program for four seasons and a very talented group of younger players that should blend together nicely for a balanced and competitive team,” Porter said. “The goal this season will be to be to improve our win-loss record, break through the first round of playoffs, and continue to lay the foundation of a program that is continuing to grow for future seasons.
“After graduating a three-year starting setter among seven total seniors, having a division with several teams we are not used to playing, new playoff format, and a lineup of players that have not had many seasons together, we are certainly charting into unfamiliar territory. This will be our biggest challenge, however, if we can pull together we will pose a very serious challenge to teams we previously were not as competitive with.”
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DURANGO
League: Class 4A Desert
Head coach: Amy Schlauder, sixth season
2017 record: 24-12 (11-2 4A Sunset/third)
Returning letter winners (starters): Four (four)
Top athletes: S/OPP Tehani Faitau (Sr.), S/OPP Anuhea Faitau (Jr.), LIB Sierra Leone Sanchez (So.), OH Jaylin Ellis (Sr.)
Outlook: Coming off one of their more successful seasons in the past several years, the Trailblazers seem primed for another big year.
Ellis (644 kills, 253 digs), Tehani Faitau (490 assists, 69 aces) and Anuhea Faitau (386 assists, 60 aces) all return to guide the offense. Sanchez (381 digs) will help engineer the defense.
“Highly motivated to compete as one of the top teams in the new Desert Region, Durango returns a core group of its starting lineup,” Schlauder said. “With the addition of some new key roles, expectations are high that the Trailblazers will make a deep run in the postseason tournament.
“A commitment to teamwork will determine Durango’s ability to contend for regional and state titles.”
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ELDORADO
League: Class 4A Mountain
Head coach: Adam Eslinger, first season
2017 record: 2-14 (0-10 4A Sunrise/11th)
Returning letter winners (starters): Four (two)
Top athletes: S Amber Castro (Sr.), OH/MB Deanna Contreras (Jr.), OH/MB Melissa Cuevas (Sr.), OPP/S Veronica Velasquez (Sr.)
Outlook: Eslinger takes over a team that struggled to find success last year but hopes to show improvement this season.
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FAITH LUTHERAN
League: Class 4A Mountain
Head coach: Amy Fisher, 13th season
2017 record: 19-19 (6-7 4A Sunset/ninth)
Returning letter winners (starters): Seven (five)
Top athletes: OH Hailey Carroll (Sr.), RS Ellie Fried (Sr.), OH Isabelle Guerrero (So.), S Kyrie Lorfing (Sr.)
Outlook: The Crusaders return five starters from a team that narrowly missed out on a postseason berth last year.
Fried (144 kills, 41 blocks), Carroll (138 kills, 191 digs, 38 aces) and Guerrero (27 aces, 30 blocks) return up front for Faith Lutheran, and Lorfing (376 assists, 78 aces) is back to run the offense.
“The team looks to improve on last year’s finish in conference, regionals and make a run to qualify for the state tournament,” Fisher said. “The team is young and will improve as the season heads into the playoffs.”
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FOOTHILL
League: Class 4A Desert
Head coach: Krysta Ortiz, 12th season
2017 record: 19-17 (6-4 4A Sunrise/fifth)
Returning letter winners (starters): Seven (four)
Top athletes: MB Riana Blount (Sr.), OPP Brooke Bykowski (Sr.), LIB Sierra Johnson (So.), S Laynee Truscott (Sr.)
Outlook: The Falcons return four starters and hope to be among the contenders in the Desert Region.
“The Falcons are young and talented athletes,” Ortiz said. “They are a committed and cohesive team focused on improving and contending well into the postseason.”
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GREEN VALLEY
League: Class 4A Desert
Head coach: Erin Hill, 28th season
2017 record: 14-17 (8-2 4A Sunrise/third)
Returning letter winners (starters): Seven (two)
Top athletes: OH Deijah Spaight (Jr.), MB Jenn Soha (So.), OH Julia Whiting-Reed (Sr.)
Outlook: Spaight (180 kills, 48 aces, 130 digs), Whiting-Reed (108 kills, 24 blocks) and Soha (74 kills, 48 blocks) are among seven returnees for the Gators, who traditionally are among the top programs in Southern Nevada.
“The Gators will be a youthful team this season with ambitious goals, looking forward to a competitive season,” Hill said.
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GV CHRISTIAN
League: Class 1A Southern
Head coach: Alex Gutierrez, third season
2017 record: 3-19 (independent)
Returning letter winners (starters): Five (three)
Top athletes: OH/DS Ariana Davis (Sr.), MB Chloe Lamb (Sr.), S Sofia Gill (So.), OH/DS Abby Johnson (Jr.)
Outlook: The Guardians return three starters from last year’s squad as they move into the Class 1A Southern League.
Gil (79 assists, 40 aces) and Johnson (29 kills, 19 aces, 37 digs) should be among the leaders on offense, with Davis (24 digs) helping on the defensive side.
“Our team looks to continue to develop with the addition of two incoming freshmen,” Gutierrez said. “Although we lost three starters and one of our top players is currently out due to injury, we are looking forward to our returning players and new additions filling in the gaps.
“Our team is young, so it will be exciting to watch them grow together and play off each other’s strengths.”
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INDIAN SPRINGS
League: Class 1A Southern
Head coach: Lara Frank
2017 record: 5-8 (3-5 1A Southern/sixth)
Returning letter winners (starters): Three (one)
Outlook: Veteran coach Frank has just one returning starter with which to work.
The Thunderbirds will have plenty of new faces, but hope to remain competitive in the Southern League.
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LAUGHLIN
League: Class 2A Southern
Head coach: Bryan Crabtree, fifth season
2017 record: 5-10 (4-10 2A Southern/sixth)
Returning letter winners (starters): Nine (five)
Top athletes: S Jasmine Donnett (Sr.), OH Savannah Santillano (So.), OH Faith McGeehan (Sr.), RS Deztiny Duran (Sr.), DS Riley Perry (Fr.)
Outlook: This could be the year the Cougars break into the upper echelon of the always-tough Class 2A Southern League.
“We’re only losing one starting senior from last year, so I’m hoping to continue to improve with my returning players,” Crabtree said. “Our league has gone through a lot of turnover, so I’m hoping to be much more competitive this year.
“We’ve focused a lot on offense in our offseason, so I’m hoping that will help. We’re a small school, but we get the girls out for our program, so I’m hoping for a good season.”
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LEGACY
League: Class 4A Mountain
Head coach: Evelini Gibbs, second season
2017 record: 28-9 (7-6 4A Sunset/sixth)
Returning letter winners (starters): Six (six)
Top athletes: OH Jazmyne Walker (Jr.), LIB Alyssa Fuller (Jr.), MB Kiara Peterson (So.), OH Trinity Wolkenhauer (Sr.)
Outlook: The Longhorns bring back six starters from a team that won 28 matches last year.
“We have a chance for the championship title,” Gibbs said.
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LIBERTY
League: Class 4A Desert
Head coach: Nua Agatonu, first season
2017 record: 22-13 (7-3 4A Sunrise/fourth)
Returning letter winners: Nine
Top athletes: OH Mary-Olivia Johnson (Sr.), S/OPP Sydnie Tuioti-Mariner (So.), MB Brylei Brewer (Sr.), OH Leahi Sefo (Jr.), OH Kayla Watanabe (Jr.)
Outlook: Agatonu takes over a team that returns nine letter winners after finishing fourth in the Sunrise League last year.
“We’re very excited for our upcoming season,” Agatonu said. “We have nine returnees and added some players from last year’s lower level that will contribute for us this season.
“Overall our program in all three levels will have us going in the right direction.”
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LIBERTY BAPTIST
League: Class 1A Southern
Head coach: Grace Halverson, 14th season
2017 record: 15-15 (4-3 1A Southern/fourth)
Returning letter winners (starters): Four (four)
Top athletes: S Jade Halverson (Sr.), OH Kelsey Guardiola (Sr.), OH Savannah Workizer (Sr.), MH Kiley Guardiola (Jr.)
Outlook: Jade Halverson (130 kills, 463 assists, 422 digs, 78 aces), Kelsey Guardiola (71 kills, 175 digs, 39 aces), Workizer (46 kills, 139 digs, 30 aces) and Kiley Guardiola (43 kills, 545 digs, 29 aces) all return for the Knights.
“We want to return to the playoffs and advance past the semifinals,” Grace Halverson said. “The Knights will be leaning on our three seniors to lead this team through the season. We also have several young girls this year who are coachable and learning our system.
“Looking forward to a season of growth and success.”
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LINCOLN COUNTY
League: Class 2A Southern
Head coach: Chantel Holt, second season
2017 record: 13-12 (11-4 2A Southern/third)
Returning letter winners (starters): Five (four)
Top athletes: MB Kendra Mathews (Sr.), MB Kylee Cameron (Sr.), S Marinda Lamb (Sr.)
Outlook: Traditionally among the stronger programs in a loaded league, the Lynx should again be a contender for one of the top spots.
“With five returning seniors, we are looking forward to a competitive season and excited to see how it all plays out,” Holt said.
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THE MEADOWS
League: Class 2A Southern
Head coach: Stephanie Heller, 14th season
2017 record: 34-4 (16-0 2A Southern/first)
Returning letter winners (starters): Six (four)
Top athletes: OH Dani Mason (Sr.), OH Anna Dorn (Sr.), S Mira Gollard (Sr.)
Outlook: Perhaps an encore performance?
The Mustangs bring back four starters from last year’s Class 2A state championship squad.
Mason (3.5 kills, 2 digs, 0.5 aces per set) is the reigning Class 2A state player of the year and should get plenty of help from Gollard (10.5 assists, 1.8 digs, 0.5 aces per set), a second-team all-state honoree, and Dorn (2 kills, 3.2 digs per set), who earned second-team All-Southern League accolades.
“We hope to be very competitive in league and scheduled non-league matches against Class 4A schools to get some high-level competition in September and October,” Heller said.
“The young players will need to step into positions that need to be filled from seniors last year. We have talented players with grit and determination that will continue to improve fundamentally as the season progresses.”
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MOAPA VALLEY
League: Class 3A Sunrise
Head coach: Mandie Matheson, eighth season
2017 record: 29-12 (12-0 3A Sunrise/first)
Returning letter winners (starters): Four (two)
Outlook: The runners-up in the last two Class 3A state tournaments will have some work to do this year.
Only two starters return for the Pirates.
“The Pirates are hungry and ready to work,” Matheson said. “They are looking to become a defensive force and make a push at postseason play.”
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MOJAVE
League: Class 3A Sunset
Head coach: John Engel, second season
2017 record: 10-11 (6-4 3A Sunset/third)
Returning letter winners (starters): Five (two)
Top athletes: LIB Vanny Carballo (Sr.), MB Chania Scott (Sr.), S Aqeelah Muhammad (Jr.), OH Madison Lopez (So.), OH Zada Dailey (So.)
Outlook: The Rattlers bring back five letter winners from last year’s playoff team.
“Mojave looks to improve on last year’s results and go deeper into the playoffs this season,” Engel said. “We have a great mix of girls who are working hard every day, and with the addition of some new talent, I feel we will challenge for the division title.”
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PAHRANAGAT VALLEY
League: Class 1A Southern
Head coach: Milly Walch, first season
2017 record: 21-11 (8-0 1A Southern/first)
Outlook: For the first time since the Ronald Reagan administration, the Panthers have a new head coach.
Walch hopes to continue the success Ginger Whipple had in more than 30 years as Pahranagat Valley’s coach. Whipple guided the team to 18 state titles, including the last two Class 1A crowns.
The team graduated four players from last year’s 10-player roster and will have to fill in some vacancies.
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PALO VERDE
League: Class 4A Mountain
Head coach: Phil Clarke, fifth season
2017 record: 22-15 (10-3 4A Sunset/fourth)
Returning letter winners (starters): Eight (five)
Top athletes: S Arien Fafard (Jr.), LIB Mia Sadler (Sr.), OH Carli Tanner (Jr.)
Outlook: The Panthers return five starters from a team that finished fourth in a crowded Sunset League last year.
Fafard (453 assists, 118 kills, 135 digs) will again be the team’s engine. Tanner (272 kills, 218 digs) and Sadler (353 digs) also are expected to be among the leaders on a squad that should be very good again this year.
“We need to fill some key spots from last season, but return a good core from last year’s team,” Clarke said. “It is still a pretty young, but more experienced group. Our goal to be playing as late into November as we can.”
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RANCHO
League: Class 4A Mountain
Head coach: Allegra Derzon, 11th season
2017 record: 14-19 (4-6 4A Sunrise/seventh)
Returning letter winners (starters): Five (five)
Top athletes: LIB Mia Suzuki (Sr.), S Kekai States (Sr.), MB Allison Tang (Sr.), OH Angelyne Berkedal (Jr.), MB Kennedee Jones (So.), DS Dayana Raygoza (Jr.)
Outlook: The Rams return five starters from a team that qualified for the Sunrise Region playoffs, but are expecting contributions from some young players.
“It’s a young team with four freshmen, but solid senior leadership,” Derzon said. “It’s a great combination.”
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SANDY VALLEY
League: Class 1A Southern
Head coach: Shawna Robinson, first season
2017 record: 4-9 (2-6 1A Southern/seventh)
Returning letter winners (starters): Six (two)
Top athletes: MH Payton Adams (Sr.), MH Felicity Brown (So.), OH Kylie Burt (So.), OH Serena Griffith (So.), OH Emily Jory (Jr.), S Afton Shupe (Sr.)
Outlook: Robinson takes over a team that brings back only two starters.
“We have an all-new coaching staff and a program this year,” Robinson said. “We are rebuilding the team from the loss of five seniors last year.
“We hope with this new start, it will be a good year for our team.”
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SOMERSET-LOSEE
League: Class 3A Sunset
Head coach: Tara Thompson, first season
2017 record: Was not a full NIAA member
Returning letter winners (starters): Five (three)
Top athletes: OH Myri Au Young-Uwaine, S Bella Pelupelu , LIB Taylor Kelly, MB Bonnie Thiriot, OH Alex Wimberly, S Sabrina Wright
Outlook: Thompson guides the team into Sunset League play, hoping for positive results.
“In our third year in the program and first year with the NIAA, we would like to hit the floor running,” Thompson said. “Our team goals are to become better defensive players, running plays and having the ability to read the hitters and setters.”
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SPRING VALLEY
League: Class 4A Desert
Head coach: Nathan Pangelinan, first season
2017 record: 6-27 (1-12 4A Sunset/13th)
Returning letter winners (starters): Five (five)
Top athletes: OH Vaden Mangler (Sr.), MH Simone Beane (Sr.), LIB Zoe Williams (Sr.), OH/DS Camryn Vereen (Sr.), OH/MH Brooke Robinson (Sr.)
Outlook: Pangelinan takes over a team that welcomes back five starters and is hungry for success.
“I am looking to establish our teams and foundations for a developing program,” Pangelinan said. “Our varsity team is looking forward to improve our record from last year, compete with the teams in the new Desert Region, advance in the playoffs, and develop a winning culture and mindsets in the athletes.
“We are excited for our new additions to the team and the returners who will lead with their experiences from past varsity seasons.”
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TECH
League: Class 4A Desert
Head coach: Gil Solis, first season
2017 record: 14-18 (6-6 3A Sunrise/fourth)
Returning letter winners (starters): Seven (four)
Top athletes: Makenna Faught (Sr.), Cadie Espe (Jr.)
Outlook: Solis inherits a team that brings back four starters, but has plenty of youth.
“We are a young team with only three seniors on roster this year,” Solis said. “It is our first season (back) in Class 4A. We are looking to give everything that we can this season.”
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VALLEY
League: Class 3A Sunset
Head coach: Alex Stevens, first season
2017 record: 5-21 (1-9 4A Sunrise/10th)
Returning letter winners (starters): Six (five)
Top athletes: OH Isabel Figueroa, OPP Krystal Carter, MH Demari Blakney
Outlook: Stevens, who was Valley’s freshmen coach the last two years, takes over the top spot in the program and has five returning starters with whom to work.
“The team is looking focused and more determined than ever with the new drills we chose to focus on to improve from last year,” Stevens said. “We are excited to see it all come together as we play as a team.
“We expect to have good mental focus and consistency all throughout the season.”
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VIRGIN VALLEY
League: Class 3A Sunrise
Head coach: Melissa Julien, first season
2017 record: 19-18 (7-5 3A Sunrise/third)
Returning letter winners (starters): Four (two)
Top athletes: LIB/S Sydney Ludvigson (Sr.), MB Maleena Felshaw (Sr.), OH Jaylee Whipple (Sr.), OH Areli Ponce (Jr.)
Outlook: Julien takes over a squad that brings back just two starters from last season.
The Bulldogs are hoping to get their new varsity players up to speed quickly and contend for one of the top spots in the Sunrise League.
