Girls remembered during emotional volleyball jersey retirement ceremony in Lucerne Valley

Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press
·2 min read
Lucerne Valley High School volleyball coaches present the retired jersey of the late-Kayden Davis,16, to her family during a Lady Mustangs’ volleyball team game on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023.
Lucerne Valley High School volleyball coaches present the retired jersey of the late-Kayden Davis,16, to her family during a Lady Mustangs’ volleyball team game on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023.

It was an emotional night at Lucerne Valley High School as two students who died in a collision last year were honored.

During Thursday's Lady Mustangs’ Volleyball Team Senior Night, coaches presented retired volleyball jerseys to the parents of Kristy Klaus and Kayden Davis, both 16. The girls were teammates and would have graduated with the Lucerne Valley High class of 2024, district spokesman Peter Day said.

Co-athletic director Kevin Barda read remembrances as volleyball head coach Amanda Nichols and coach Sarah Courtney presented flower bouquets and a framed jersey to each of the families.

The team also gathered mid-court for a moment of silence and prayer before playing their game against Joshua Springs Christian School.

Lucerne Valley High School volleyball coach Amanda Nichols presents the retired jersey of the late-Kristy Klaus,16, to her family during a Lady Mustangs’ volleyball team game on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023.
Lucerne Valley High School volleyball coach Amanda Nichols presents the retired jersey of the late-Kristy Klaus,16, to her family during a Lady Mustangs’ volleyball team game on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023.

Remembering Kristy and Kayden

On April 8, 2022, Klaus and Davis were in the back seat of a 2018 Honda CR-V driven by Klaus’ grandmother, Christy Rees. Their vehicle was struck by a 1998 Ford Expedition at the intersection of State Route 247 and Camp Rock Road, the Daily Press reported.

The girls died on the scene. Rees, 71, suffered major injuries and was airlifted to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center.

The other driver was flown to Loma University Medical Center, according to authorities. He was later arrested on suspicion of felony manslaughter for allegedly driving while intoxicated, the California Highway Patrol said. 

Shortly after the collision, a vigil was scheduled to celebrate the girls’ lives at Lucerne Valley’s Pioneer Park. Community members also set up an online form in which locals could sign up to provide meals for the families of each girl.

At the vigil, President Jessica Risler of the Lucerne Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees and Pastor Gary Schlenz of Crossroads Chapel Foursquare Church led mourners in prayer.

Lucerne Valley High School students, Kayden Davis, left, and Kristy Klaus, both 16, were killed in a car crash in the unincorporated High Desert community on Friday, April 8, 2022.
Lucerne Valley High School students, Kayden Davis, left, and Kristy Klaus, both 16, were killed in a car crash in the unincorporated High Desert community on Friday, April 8, 2022.
Lucerne Valley High School Lady Mustangs’ volleyball players and coaches lead a moment of silence for Kristy Klaus and Kayden Davis, both 16, who died last year.
Lucerne Valley High School Lady Mustangs’ volleyball players and coaches lead a moment of silence for Kristy Klaus and Kayden Davis, both 16, who died last year.

Local leaders described the girls as highly involved in school and community activities.

Classmates of the girls signed memorial posters offering their condolences.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Girls remembered during volleyball jersey retirement in Lucerne Valley