Piedra Vista Volleyball Opens Season Strong with 3–1 Win Over Bloomfield
Story by Walter Dorman
Photos by Cyndi Frank Cnergy Photography
The Piedra Vista Panthers volleyball team started their 2025 season with a statement victory, defeating the Bloomfield Bobcats 3–1 on Tuesday night. Despite a slow start, PV showed resilience, depth, and flashes of their new identity under head coach Coach Caliendo, who emphasized that this year’s squad is writing its own story.
New Faces, New Energy
With seven seniors gone from last year’s roster, the Panthers opened the season with an entirely new look. Coach Caliendo was impressed with how quickly her group came together.
“We had a whole new team this year. Everything was new, from hitters to setters, but I was really impressed by how hard we were swinging and hitting the ball,” she said. “Our new setter, Kinzley Verhulst, transferred from Pinion Hills and she fit right in with our girls, making connections right away.”
Caliendo also highlighted sophomore Chloe Freestone, who made the leap from last year’s C-team to becoming a force at right side hitter.
“Chloe really impressed me. She grew so much over the summer, and last night she was swinging hard and making a big impact,” Caliendo added.
Key Adjustments Spark Turnaround
After dropping the first set, the Panthers regrouped by making a lineup change at libero and adding depth from their JV squad.
“We started out really jittery. After set one, I switched our libero and even brought up a JV player, Taylor Chavez, to step in for her first-ever varsity action. She did a great job. That change, along with better communication, helped us settle in and control the next three sets,” Caliendo explained.
The adjustments paid off as Piedra Vista dominated sets three and four behind a more organized defense and aggressive attacking at the net.
Next Up: Rival Kirtland Central
Now, the Panthers turn their focus to the Kirtland Central Broncos, a program known for its scrappy play and long rallies.
“Kirtland is always tough. They never let the ball hit the floor. We’ll need to communicate, be patient, and place the ball in the right spots to get kills,” Caliendo said. “It’s going to be an intense match.”
To prepare, PV is focusing on serve-receive and defense—the areas Caliendo says still need the most improvement.
“Serve-receive is the hardest part of volleyball. The ball comes all the way across the gym and you’ve got to beat it there. We’re also working on communication. Calling each other’s names, knowing who has the ball, and being loud on defense—that’s where we can grow the most,” she said.
Shaping Team Identity
Coach Caliendo sees this early stretch as a building block for the Panthers’ season.
“These local matchups are important. They show us where we are before we play the big Albuquerque schools later this fall. We’re still learning and still making adjustments, but that’s what these games are for,” she noted.
Beyond the court, Caliendo emphasized the character and responsibility of her players.
“We hold our girls to the highest accountability. We want them to be good people, not just good athletes. Whether it’s in the classroom, in the community, or on the court, PV volleyball is about being role models for the younger kids watching them.”
Looking Ahead
With one win already under their belts, the Panthers have their eyes on momentum. A tough rivalry match with Kirtland Central awaits, but if Tuesday night’s performance is any indication, Piedra Vista is ready to battle through early challenges and grow into a team that could make noise come district play.
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