Preps: LV High emerging as area volleyball power

If last weekend's Las Vegas Invitational Tournament is any indication, there could be a new team atop the local prep girls volleyball scene this year.

Las Vegas High, which hosted the event for the eighth straight year, emerged victorious from a 28-team tournament that included perennial local powers Green Valley and Cimarron-Memorial, along with several top-notch clubs from out of state.

The Wildcats, who have already defeated Cimarron, Basic and Cheyenne in nonleague action, posted an 8-1 record in the tourney to capture the title. Not bad for a program that went 6-13 before coach Gino Frugoli took over last season.

"We got the same rush we'd get if we won the state tournament," said Frugoli, whose squad went 9-7 in the Sunrise Division last year before falling to eventual 4A state champion Durango in the zone tournament. "It was a big confidence boost. We want to compete against the Green Valleys and Durangos."

Las Vegas showed it may have what it takes to do just that in Saturday's semifinal round, when the hosts downed a tough Francis Parker (Calif.) squad that featured two players who already have committed to the University of Arizona.

Later that day, the Wildcats finished the job with an 18-16, 13-15, 15-12 win over Moapa Valley, a club led by senior Jordan Adams, possibly the top player in Nevada.

Frugoli's squad was led by its senior trio of setter Amanda Pfundstein, outside hitter Ashley Perks and opposite hitter Leila Knight. Pfundstein (the tournament MVP) and Knight started for Las Vegas last year, and Perks is a transfer from Bonanza.

"We're building around those three," Frugoli said. "So far, we look really good."

The Wildcats will begin Sunrise Division play Thursday against Vo-Tech.

What injuries?

From the Silverado soccer team's quick 3-0 start, it's hard to believe the squad has yet to field its regular lineup this fall.

Despite getting hit by a rash of injuries which have kept six different starters out of action in one or more games, the Skyhawks have downed Palo Verde, Cheyenne and Vo-Tech by a combined 14-1 score.

"I keep saying when I get all these kids together at once, we'll be pretty good," Silverado coach John Cwik said.

The Skyhawks' success thus far can largely be attributed to the offensive explosion of junior forward Mike Eshragh and the stingy defense of the club's back four and goalkeeper Brian Formisano.

Despite drawing consistent double-teams, Eshragh has torched the nets for six goals in three games, well ahead of last year's pace, when he scored 18 times.

And with senior stopper Jason Thomas, sophomore fullback Elliot Kleven and junior sweeper Reed Hahn leading the way, Silverado has allowed only a Vo-Tech penalty kick to get past Formisano in the net.

The Skyhawks expect two of their top injured performers -- midfielder Robbie Van (ankle) and forward Jared Mathews (shin) -- to return for Thursday's key Sunrise clash against Chaparral.

Playing the best first

Perennial area prep tennis powers Green Valley and Bishop Gorman didn't wait long to measure themselves against one another.

The Gators and Gaels squared off in boys and girls action in their opening match last week.

"We really like playing each other in the beginning of the season because it lets us see where we are," said Green Valley girls coach Jackie Carducci, whose club posted a 12.5-10 win. "Going in, I had no idea what my team would do."

What the Gators did was topple the defending 4A state champs, thanks to a match-saving victory by the No. 2 doubles team of Samantha Villanueva and Brittany Hermanson.

"We both like the competition," Carducci said. "It's good tennis, so whoever plays better that day usually wins."

On the boys side, the defending state champion Gators had an easier time of it, defeating Gorman, 17.5-5. The Gaels' David DiMartino won all three of his singles matches, but it wasn't enough to keep his club close.

"Our depth won it for us," Green Valley coach Jeff Horn said. "Gorman will be the dominant team in the Sunset Division, so it's good for our players to get a look at them now."

archive