Thursday, March 05, 2026
39.0°F

Mavericks volleyball showed resilience in wake of levy failure

MIKE MAYNARD | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 months, 3 weeks AGO
by MIKE MAYNARD
| June 16, 2025 3:00 AM

MOSES LAKE – When the Moses Lake School District 2024 educational programs and operations levy failed for the first time, coaches like Mavericks volleyball coach Krystal Trammell were unsure what would happen if it failed a second time. What they were certain about was their dedication to the kids at Moses Lake High School.  

“I don't think there was one coach or one program that wasn't in to do it for the kids,” Trammell said. “We knew exactly what we needed to do. We just didn't know how to go about it, how the teams were going to look, our transportation equipment, etcetera. But relying on each other really helped things kind of materialize.” 

After the levy failed a second time, Trammell knew it was real and had to figure out how the team was going to have a volleyball season. She said the hard work of the coaches at Moses Lake and the Community Athletics and Activities booster helped the season come to fruition.  

Trammell said parents stepped up and helped organize transportation for the athletes to get to games and tournaments throughout the fall season. When they had to figure out how to have a season, it was clear that their culture was in jeopardy, according to Trammell. Over the years, she said they have worked hard to build a culture of students first, athletes second.  

“When that opportunity could have been taken from us, we turned to each other, our parents, our coaching staff and our athletes, and came together as a group stronger than before. We were going to do everything in our power to make the program even better and get more hands involved. That's exactly what happened with our parents and athletes and coaches,” Trammell said.  

The Mavericks volleyball team managed to put together one of their best seasons in a long time, according to Trammell. They finished the season with a 12-6 record and secured a highlight 3-1 win over West Valley, which Trammell said was their first in program history. Trammell could see something shifted in her players' last season that made a difference.  

“Program-wide, the girls had something to prove. They were not going to let the levy failure and the fact that we almost didn't have a season ruin anything. I think they came out more on fire to show everyone ‘no, we're not going to stop, and this is what we're going to do,’” she said.  

Trammell said her team excelled with court awareness, mental toughness and utilizing everything they have worked on over the last couple of years. She said she liked what she saw from her team last season, and it makes her excited for this upcoming season since they will have nine returning players. She said they will benefit from coming in with more knowledge and experience.  

However, now that a new levy was passed this year, they will still have another season without a budget until January 2026. Though Trammell said it will be business as usual heading into the season. She said their experience last season will help them navigate this season more effectively as they learn more throughout the summer.  

According to Trammell, she is confident they will have another season after seeing all of the support they got last year. She is confident in her community, she said, and believes in Mavericks athletics. In the meantime, Trammell plans to prepare for the fall season the same way she always does.  

“We're just concentrating on the workouts and our summer league and preparing for the season, and we've been through it once, and so going through it again, it won't be as difficult this time,” she said. “It brought all the coaches together and I think sportsmanship is different. I just think everyone came together as a whole league instead of just one community, one town, one school.”  

    Krystal Trammell breaks down a huddle with her players before a game. Trammell said her players played with something to prove this season in the wake of the 2024 levy failure.
 
 
    Mavericks Maddy Bond prepares for an incoming ball during a set. Bond made the All-League first team in the Big Nine conference.
 
 
    The Mavericks’ Makenna Stuart serving the ball in their game against Sunnyside last season. Stuart was an honorable mention in the Big Nine All-League team announcements last Fall.
 
 
    The Mavs’ Kardyn Martinez spikes the ball in their game against Sunnyside last season. Martinez has been All-League first team the last two seasons, and Trammell hopes to see that continue heading into her senior season this Fall.
 
 


ARTICLES BY MIKE MAYNARD

Eagles suffer loss ahead of conference tourney
March 3, 2026 4:54 p.m.

Eagles suffer loss ahead of conference tourney

CHENEY — The Eastern Washington Eagles (13-18) were white hot coming into their game against the Vandals on an eight-game win streak. However, their momentum ran out at home as Idaho outscored the Eagles 85-81 Monday. “They just had an edge to them tonight,” Associate Head Coach Ryan Lundgren said. “They were the tougher team tonight, bottom line. I mean, they just wanted that game more than us."

Eagles fall after fourth quarter rally by Idaho
March 3, 2026 4:50 p.m.

Eagles fall after fourth quarter rally by Idaho

CHENEY — After a competitive first half, the Vandals were able to run away with the game 75-64, as they stunted any momentum Eastern Washington (14-17) built. Despite the loss, Head Coach Joddie Gleason felt her team played hard, according to a statement by EWU Athletics. “These were two good teams that battled tonight, and the conference champs took control in the fourth to secure the win,” Gleason said. “Ella Gallatin was absolutely amazing tonight and helped propel us into the lead at halftime. Unfortunately, we couldn't keep them off the glass to start the game and then again in the pivotal moments in the fourth. We didn't match their physicality, or we had the chance to steal the game in Moscow.”

Skjonsby’s late heroics lift Cougs to road win over Long Beach State
March 3, 2026 4:12 p.m.

Skjonsby’s late heroics lift Cougs to road win over Long Beach State

LONG BEACH, Cali. — After a late rally led by Ryan Skjonsby, the Washington State Cougars (5-6) defeated the Long Beach State Dirtbags 9-7 Sunday. In a postgame interview with WSU Athletics, Skjonsby credited his team for finding a way to win.