They finally stopped to take a breath. The Mustang volleyball players took down a 4A team during preseason, beat Yerington at the Lion’s homecoming, made it to the second round of the playoffs and finished third in their league.
At their ‘Dig Pink’ event the Mustangs raised $500 for a Lovelock family undergoing a health crisis.
They bonded at Midnight Madness and said farewell to their seniors.
At the fall sports awards, coach Monica Halverson thanked Nancy Meissner and Leah Holland for helping get the team physically, mentally and emotionally ready for “hard, competitive volleyball.” Next, she called the players onto the auditorium stage to award varsity pins, letters and patches.
Freshmen Raegan Burrows and Aaliyah Allen earned their first varsity letters. Halverson pulled them from JV to help with the varsity playoffs.
Yasmine McKinney, Anna Happy and Taylor Garland represented the sophomores. The juniors included Andrea Canchola, Kaydance Happy and Kaylen Halverson.
With luck, they’ll all be back in 2022 to finish what their coach calls “unfinished business” with Incline and Yerington. The Mustangs finished 10-3, overall, losing to Yerington once and Incline twice.
Seniors Presley Burrows, Bela Rosas, Aledda Sam and Hannah Montes graduate this spring.
Coach’s awards
Halverson named “quiet threat” Taylor Garland the Defensive Player of the Year.
“Taylor is a multifaceted player and can play anywhere she wants. In our league playoffs she stepped up in her defense and didn’t let a ball drop,” she said.
Garland earned her first varsity letter at awards night.
The coach named fourth-year varsity athlete Presley Burrows the Offensive Player of the Year.
“Presley is an example on and off the court. She scored the majority of our points for the season and is a phenomenal player to watch,” she said.
Halverson reserves her Coach’s Award for a player who shows heart, commitment and growth through obstacles. Third-year varsity player Aledda Sam more than met all the criteria.
“Even though she got hurt at the beginning of the season, Aledda still led the team from the sidelines. Having her with us had a huge impact on me personally- and hopefully for each one of the girls. Her mere presence makes you want to work harder and be better,” she said.
Four athletes receive All-Conference awards
Garland received an Honorable Mention. The 2A coaches named Kaydance Happy to the second team. Kaylen Halverson made the first team. Presley Burrows was the league MVP for the second year in a row.
The coach congratulated the Spirit Squad, football and soccer teams for successful seasons.
The athletes frequently attend each other’s games to show support.
Halverson summed up her thoughts with three words. “Fall sports rule,” she said.
