The 2023 Gold Medal Squared Volleyball Camp- left to right- Whitlee Diaz, Emma Blondheim, Raegan Burrows, Arya Garland, Kyra Cerini, Jaymie George, coach Jovan Garcia, Fallon Henderson, Katelyn Elerick, Laura Gomez, Magdalena Ramirez, Chelsea Woodard and Jerzie Jones. Mighty Seniors (sitting) - Yasmine McKinney, Taylor Garland and Anna Happy.
#You know a new volleyball year has begun when the Gold Medal Squared camp comes to Lovelock. "The camp is our way of getting the season started," says coach Monica Halverson. She's led the PCHS varsity team since 2018 after moving to Lovelock the year before as the JV coach.
#Before that, Lisa Clark coached. Before that, it was Shauna Bake. She retired from PCHS as health teacher and volleyball coach in 2014. Gold Medal Squared has been coming to town since her era as coach.
#"This year was spectacular," said Halverson. "The camp helps the girls work on fundamentals with emphasis on team building. Coach Jovan ran such a tight camp that by the time it was over the girls learned new things and showed improvement."
#The camp ran from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. for three and a half days, including lunch.
#"The time spent in camp brings each girl closer together and ready to perform at tryouts. I loved the energy on the last day. The girls wanted more drills and play time," the coach added.
#Tryouts were Aug. 7 and 8, starting on the track and progressing to the gym. The Yerington Varsity Tournament is August 18. Both varsity and JV have a tournament in Battle Mountain August 25 and 26.
#The varsity and JV volleyball teams form a cohesive Mustang unit and support one another. Last postseason, the coach called JV players Mia Canchola, Kenya Vaughan and Jessica Gonzalez (MVP) to practice and be part of the varsity squad. People will watch them with interest this year.
Jovan Garcia from Gold Medal Squared coaches Laura Gomez, Chelsea Woodard, Kyra Cerini, Raegan Burrows and Taylor Garland.
#Looking back
#Last year, the varsity team ranked 17-9, overall, and 11-3 in the 2A. They went to the playoffs as third seed and beat Silver Stage (sixth seed) in round one, but lost the next round to Yerington after winning the first two sets.
#The Mustangs came in third in the league behind North Tahoe (13-1) and Yerington (12-2).
#The 2022-2023 team lost four seniors to graduation - Andrea Canchola, Kaylen Halverson, Kaydance Happy and Morgan Swindlehurst.
#Halverson gave a shout out to her “mighty seniors,” from the Class of 2024- Yasmine McKinney, Taylor Garland and Anna Happy. Seniors help lead and mentor the team by passing on their skills.
#Last season, Raegan Burrows, now a junior, got a 2A Honorable Mention. Incoming senior Taylor Garland was the 2A Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive year. Both are players to watch this season.
#Last season, Coach Halverson gave the 2023 Playmaker Award to Raegan Burrows. Aaliyah Allen was the Most Improved. Burrows and Allen are both juniors now.
#The girls will face teams that struggle and seemingly unbeatable teams. No matter, they’ll stay consistent and play their game, making every Mustang a player to watch.
