SPOKANE — As 47 schools battled it out all over tennis courts in Spokane, the Moses Lake combined tennis teams took a swing at making some noise and came out of the action getting their message through loud and clear.

The Chiefs’ boys and girls teams joined forces to finish 10th at the Inland Empire Tournament on Saturday which according to Moses Lake coach Jon Wrigley, was their best finish in three years.

“We got a win at every spot in the tournament which led to the top ten showing,” Wrigley said. “Our depth has been a strength all year and it showed this weekend.”

The big showing was produced by the No. 1 doubles team of Connor Lange and Dominic Cacchiotti which fought their way all the way to the semifinals. It was the first time a boys representative made it that far in the tournament since 2005.

They were defeated by John Talbot/Travis Zuroske of Richland, 6-1, 6-4, ending their run one step short of a shot at the title.

“We were seeded second but the top three teams were all going to be able to beat one another,” Wrigley said. “The Richland team has great strokes but fundamentally they have work to do regarding doubles.  We just could not get returns in play, we did not give ourselves a chance to win the match.  This loss hurts for seeding as we head to post-season play in two weeks.”

Prior to the loss, Lange/Cacchiotti won their first three matches by virtue of two set sweeps.

Quarterfinal showings were produced by girls No. 2 singles players Melissa Calder and the No. 2 mixed doubles team of Michael Mekonen and Annalise Odegaard.

No. 2 boys singles player Tyler Knapp got to the quarterfinals of the consolation bracket, ending with a 6-3, 6-1 win.

Other Chiefs that took part in the field included, No. 1 boys singles, Conner Koreis, No. 1 girls singles, Rachel Hofstetter, No. 1 girls doubles, Rachel Korth/Courtney Kunjara, No. 2 boys doubles Josh Black/Levi Huddleston, No. 2 girls doubles, Iris Banks/Micaiah Stones, and No. 1 mixed doubles, Adam Coulson and Amanda Hart.