Bulldogs Bernice Fiso left and Emma Barnum right prepare to receive a Trojan serve Tuesday night during the dawgs 3-0 win over Pahrump Valley. Photo by Lou Martin.

Bulldogs Bernice Fiso left and Emma Barnum right prepare to receive a Trojan serve Tuesday night during the dawgs 3-0 win over Pahrump Valley. Photo by Lou Martin.

The Virgin Valley High School volleyball team defeated Pahrump High School Tuesday in three sets to advance to the semifinal round in the 1A Southern Division playoffs. The Lady Dawgs fell behind the Trojans early in their first set 5-3 before going on a 7-point run with Kaydee Bingham serving. The Trojans closed to 15-11 before Bernice Fiso served up four aces giving the Dawgs a 24-12. A service error ended the match at 25-12. Emma Barnum had four kills for the set.

The second set was all Bulldogs as they jumped off to a 7-0 lead behind the serving of Janella Fiso. The Bulldogs played great team volleyball to keep their lead at 20-15. A huge kill by Bernice Fiso brought a big roar from the partisan crowd. Barnum ended the match with another kill giving the Dawgs a 25-17, win. Bernice Fiso led the Dawgs with 5 kills.

The third set of the evening had nine ties as the Trojans battled furiously against the favored Bulldogs. Each time the Trojans had the opportunity to press the Dawgs, Bernice Fiso would bring them back to reality with a huge kill. The Dawgs led 23-20 when the feisty Trojans roared back to tie the set 23-23 and 24-24. The Dawgs finished the Trojans off winning the next two points to garner a 26-24 and move on in the playoffs.

Leading the way for the Bulldogs were Bernice Fiso with 13 kills, 20 digs and 4 aces followed by Barnum with 7 kills and 10 digs. Kaydee Bingham chipped in with 7 kills and 2 aces and Janella Fiso added 27 assists, 12 digs and 2 aces.

“The team played well,” said Bulldog Coach Laura Barnum. “It was a fun game and a good start for us playing a good team.”

Bulldog Bernice finishes off one of her 13 kills to lead the Dawgs over Pahrump Valley Tuesday night in the Dawg House. Photo by Lou Martin.

Bulldog Bernice finishes off one of her 13 kills to lead the Dawgs over Pahrump Valley Tuesday night in the Dawg House. Photo by Lou Martin.

The Bulldogs next face Sunset Conference second seed Sierra Vista, which defeated Moapa Valley 3-0 Tuesday night. The game is scheduled Thursday night at Faith Lutheran High School. The winner of that match will face the winner of the Faith Lutheran-Boulder City match with the winners competing on Friday, Nov. 6 for the 1A Southern Division Championship. Both teams that reach the finals will qualify for state the following week in Reno.