SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – For the first time in 14 years, the South Tahoe High School (STHS) Vikings girls volleyball team won the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association (NIAA) Class 3A Northern Regional Volleyball Tournament against Tahoe rivals, Truckee. Now, they’re heading to Las Vegas.
The first round of the tournament took place on October 27, with STHS defeating Churchill County High School in a 3-0 victory. Heading into the weekend, the girls played against Fernley 3-1 alongside top-seeded Truckee who beat Dayton 3-1.
“Truckee has always been a team that makes it almost every year,” said Alejandro Dominguez, volleyball head coach at STHS. “They are a very tough team, they have amazing players and great coaching. I have nothing but respect for their staff.”
As they prepared to face off against Truckee on Saturday, October 31, Dominguez said the day started off in high spirits thanks to assistant coach Christy Wilson who made them breakfast that morning.
“From the beginning, you could see that they were in the right mind space,” said Dominguez. “The energy was so static. It was almost like you knew, and they believed that they could do this. The minute they stepped on the court, there was not an ounce of nervousness.”
The last time STHS won regionals was in 2012 under long-time coach Danny McLaughlin. Dominguez began coaching in 2022 and has been leading the team since they were freshmen. He not only praised the girls for their hard work but for how much they care for one another.
“They have worked harder than any team I have ever had the pleasure of coaching, including in Vegas, New York, Connecticut. They’re just such a special team.”
Dominguez also touched on how welcomed he has felt since he took on the role of head coach.
“This community has done an amazing job of making a Cuban-Hispanic male feel right at home,” he said. “They have never treated me like an outsider. They have always given me full range to do what I do best, which is coaching. I am very thankful to be part of this community.”
Now, the girls’ team is gearing up to play in Las Vegas for the state semifinals on Friday, November 6 as the No. 1 seed against The Meadows School, a private school and the #1 Nevada Class 3A rank with an overall record of 27-4. Truckee takes the No. 2 seed and will play against Virgin Valley.
“The interesting thing about our side is that we are all public schools that go against private schools, and the difference is that private schools get to recruit,” Dominguez explained. “We are literally always the underdog going into these things, but that’s what makes it so much more exciting.”
The game starts at 5 p.m. and the winner of each match will play for the title on Saturday at 10 a.m. You can watch the championship’s livestream by visiting www.nfhsnetwork.com.
