DON McDERMOTT / PVT Chris Hertel, center, from New Mexico State, instructs Pahrump Valley High School volleyball players during a camp held earlier this week. The Lady Trojans will be in a four-day camp at Dixie State College in St. George, Utah, next week. Advertisement

While temperatures soared into the 100s Wednesday morning, more than 20 girls who want to play volleyball for the Pahrump Valley High School team this fall were being put through some quick drills by two collegiate coaches.

Fortunately, it was relatively cool in the PVHS gym as the future Lady Trojans worked on specialized drills under the direction of Chris Hertel of New Mexico State and Adam Longmore of Southern Utah University.

Paying close attention to how the girls responded to instructions was Jill Harris, who has returned as the PVHS head coach after a two-season absence.

The 2006-2007 team didn't fare well under the direction of coach Richard Barker, but the 2007-2008 Lady Trojans, with Amy Braach Hart as coach, won the Southern Nevada Class 3-A regional championship, despite being the No. 4 seed.

"We're going to the camp at Dixie State (in St. George, Utah) Monday through Thursday next week," said Harris. "We'll have a chance to play as many as 14 matches."

Preseason practice begins Aug. 18; on that same day, the Trojans' soccer, cross country and girls golf teams can start workouts. Football begins Aug. 14.

Pahrump Valley will prepare for its first Class 4-A Sunset Region Southwest Division campaign. The season begins Aug. 29-30, when the Trojans compete in the always tough Las Vegas Invitational. Sites, pairings and match times will be announced.

The Trojans will be at home Sept. 4 to play Henderson Liberty in a non-division match; on Sept. 11, PVHS goes to Centennial and on Sept. 12, the Lady Trojans take on former Southern Class 3-A League rival Las Vegas Faith Lutheran.

The Southwest Division season begins Sept. 15, with the Trojans going to Clark; on Sept. 17, they tangle with 2007-2008 state 4-A runnerup Durango on the TrailBlazers' court.

Sierra Vista (Sept. 22) and Bishop Gorman (Sept. 23) are the first division home matches for PVHS.

Pahrump Valley's junior varsity team will host small-school varsity squads in the Trojan Invitational Aug. 29-30. Entries, times, pairings and sites will be announced.

Harris plans to have a B (freshmen) team this season, but is in need of a coach. Interested people should contact the PVHS athletics department at 727-7908.