MOSES LAKE - Facing West Valley (Yakima) - a team that hadn't lost a game against a Columbia Basin Big Nine opponent - was always going to be a tough task.

Moses Lake (2-2, 2-4) held its own against West Valley, leading 9-1 in the first game and losing by just 2 points each in games two and three. However, the Rams (4-0, 5-1) were able to edge the feisty Chiefs in three games 25-20, 25-23, 27-25.

"It's still a little bit early in the season for us," head coach Michael DeHoog said. "We played Post Falls, we played Lewis and Clark, we played Ike. They're definitely one of the four best teams we've played and it's hard to kind of compare them, but this is the best that we've played against a good team."

Moses Lake blitzed West Valley early in the first game, jumping out to a 7-0 lead behind 5 aces from setter Kylee McKay. McKay finished with 6 aces total and 17 assists.

The Chiefs led by as many as 8 points in the first game before the Rams began to methodically tighten the gap.

West Valley eventually took the lead for good at 17-16 and pulled away to win 25-20.

Moses Lake once again took an early lead against West Valley in the second game before West Valley took control and held the lead for the rest of the game.

A flurry toward the end brought Moses Lake to within 1 point at 23-25, but a Chief error allowed the Rams to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the match.

It was a night full of missed opportunities, but DeHoog was still able to point to the fact that Moses Lake hung with West Valley the entire night.

"We're right there against one of the top teams in the state so I hope our kids realize that," he said.

Moses Lake held another early lead in the third game, 8-4, before the Rams were able to rally and tie it at 13-all. Both teams exchanged points until the Rams finally closed the game and the match out, 27-25.

DeHoog that his front line of Greta Hammer and Marissa Strickland played well against the four six-footers on West Valley.

Strickland led the team with 7 kills and Hammer added 6.

Strickland and Hammer also combined for 3 blocks.

"I'm a defensive-minded coach, especially on blocking," DeHoog said. "We work on blocking every single day because I feel against good teams blocking is going to be something that makes a difference in the match."

Angela Gonchuk was moved to the right side after Rylee Cranston sprained her ankle in the Ephrata Invitational.

"She's been doing her rehab, she's been doing her treatment," DeHoog said. "I know she wants to be back out on the floor."

Moses Lake will look to keep pace in the Big Nine standings Thursday, 7 p.m., at home against Davis.

Warden sweeps Kittitas

WARDEN - Warden (2-0, 3-2) scored a crucial Central Washington 2B South win Thursday against Kittitas (1-1, 1-1).

The Cougars were able to beat the Coyotes in three games 25-21, 25-13, 26-14.

"It was a big early season league contest. We were 1-0 in league and this would give us a chance to go 2-0 against I think one of the better teams in the south division of our league. We came out strong and probably played our best match of the season."

Leilani Pruneda was 12 for 12 serving with 3 aces, 5 digs and 3 kills.

Allycia Gonzales led the team with 7 kills. She also added 4 digs and 2 blocks.

Laurissa Kisler had 17 assists to go along with 1 ace and 4 digs.

Lex Pruneda led the Cougars with 20 digs.

Warden will travel to play Waterville Thursday.

Other Basin scores

• Quincy 3, Wapato 0

Girls soccer

Moses Lake takes control of CBBN

YAKIMA - A battle with West Valley (Yakima) (3-1, 6-2), who was also undefeated in Columbia Basin Big Nine play, turned out to be all Moses Lake as the Chiefs defeated the Rams handily, 4-1.

Moses Lake (4-0, 6-1-1) used a balance attack to take sole possession of first place in the CBBN.

"We were tied in league so it was a big day for us," head coach Ric Char said.

Midfielders Mariah Byington, Lizzy McGraw and Stephanie Overland all scored for the Chiefs. Forward Alysha Overland also continued her torrid stretch to start the year by scoring in her seventh straight match,

"The girls just came ready to play," Char said. "They knew it was going to be a big game."

Moses Lake is back at Lions Field Thursday, 7 p.m., to face Davis.

Jennifer Mendoza records hat trick in Warden win

MATTAWA - Jennifer Mendoza notched a hat trick for Warden (1-0, 4-3-1) and the Cougars beat out Wahluke, 3-1.

"It was kind of tough," head coach Don Edson said. "The wind was blowing pretty good so keeping control of the ball and stuff was kind of at a premium. She was able to get the ball and put herself in good positions."

Warden returns home Thursday to face Granger at 4 p.m.

"The key for us moving forward is to be consistent," Edson said.

Other Basin scores

• Ephrata 6, Wapato 1
• Prosser 2, Othello 1
• Selah 7, Quincy 0