November 7, 2026 - 4:47 pm

Facing The Meadows School — five-time defending state champions — and its rowdy student section on Saturday, Virgin Valley’s girls volleyball team was undaunted.

The Bulldogs rallied from an early loss, winning three straight sets to claim the state 3A title 25-27, 25-16, 25-22, 25-21.

“I knew we could do it,” Virgin Valley coach Kortney Tobler said. “I believed in this team all season. We’ve just been working our butts off all year long, and they really showed up today. I could not be more proud of this team.”

The Bulldogs, the Southern Region’s top seed who traveled to the championship venue of Sierra Vista High from Mesquite, are the only Nevada team to defeat the Mustangs this season — first in the regional playoffs and again Saturday.

Junior outside hitter Kinley Hughes led Virgin Valley with 22 kills, also contributing 14 digs, two blocks and a service ace. Senior libero Mady Wright had a team-best 23 digs and three aces.

“It just felt so surreal,” Hughes said.…