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Rich Lauver has returned as the fast-pitch softball coach at Pahrump Valley High School under circumstances no one would envy.

First, he is replacing a long-time friend, Preston Dockter, who died in a motorcycle accident in September. As the Lady Trojans' coach, Dockter directed the 2008 Lady Trojans to a 30-9 record, which included two losses in the Nevada Class 3-A state tournament.

Trojan pitchers allowed only two hits in 14 innings in the state tournament at Reno, but PVHS lost 2-0 and 3-1, missing out on winning the school's fourth state championship in six years.

Second, the Trojans will play in the ultra-tough Southwest Class 4-A Division this spring, for the first time.

Lauver, who was 129-79 in five seasons as the Trojans coach from 2003 through 2007, guided Pahrump Valley to consecutive state Class 3-A titles in 2003, 2004 and 2005. His 2007 team was knocked out in the elimination round at state; the Trojans were 10-3 in four state tournament appearances with Lauver as coach.

Lauver, who at mid-season 2008 took over as the baseball coach for the Trojans, is back with the softball team, which will start preparing for its first Class 4-A campaign Saturday at 8:30 a.m. Baseball and track teams will also have their first workouts, with boys golf starting Monday afternoon.

In Lauver's first stint as softball coach, his practice sessions were noted for their intensity, as well as concentrating on the fundamentals.

"I think I am more mellow now," said Lauver, as he continued preparations for the first day of practice. "What I am going to focus on is the team getting better every day. "

The season starts the weekend of March 13-14, with the PV girls competing in the River Valley (Ariz.) Invitational in the greater Bullhead City-Needles (Calif.) area.

"We are going to be in a tough (4-A) division this season, with Sierra Vista, Bonanza and Durango on the schedule," said Lauver. As for who the key players will be this spring, stay tuned. The 2009 roster is short on extensive experience.

"We probably won't have the numbers (players) we have had in the past," said Lauver, "but we want the best people we have to be on the field every day.

"In Class 4-A, we often will play at least three games a week," said Lauver. "There are no doubleheaders like we had in 3-A (when league teams played twin bills on Tuesdays and Fridays."