Lake Mead tops Pahranagat Valley for first state title

RENO — Beating a champion is never easy, and it certainly wasn’t Saturday for the Lake Mead.

Despite having beaten Pahranagat Valley in three sets in last week’s regional championship, the Eagles found themselves trailing after the first set Saturday, but rallied for a 19-25, 31-29, 25-21, 27-25 win and their first Class 1A state title in girls volleyball.

“One of the things that’s different about this team is we never gave up,” Lake Mead coach Diana Lewis said. “We’ve come from behind so many times.”

The Eagles (33-4-3) turned the match their way when they outlasted the Panthers in to win the second game.

However, the Eagles needed three shots at match point before finally breaking through.

“They don’t go down easy,” Lewis said. “We knew we had to not look ahead and play point by point. I told the girls, 'You’ve got to put forth the best effort for the next point.”

Lake Mead beat Pahranagat Valley (23-6) twice in an early-season tournament and again last week. The Panthers won when the teams met in league play.

Lewis said she was fearful of a fifth match, and wanted to make sure the Eagles took advantage of their one chance to win.

“We wanted to win it and get it done,” she said.

Ashley Newton led the Eagles with 16 kills and 32 digs. Amanda Wellman added 12 kills and keyed the defense with 41 digs.

Jessica Rinaldi, the Eagles’ lone senior, had 32 assists and 11 digs.

Pahranagat Valley had won 11 of the last 13 Class 1A state titles.