EPHRATA – On Thursday, the Moses Lake Mavericks (8-6) defeated the Ephrata Tigers (2-12) 3-0. Head coach Krystal Trammell said they were able to try some new things during this game, and the players responded well.  

“We were able to change our offense a little bit. We got everybody in. That was the goal of tonight was to have fun and get everyone in and enjoy it. We love playing Ephrata,” Trammell said.  

The Mavericks came out fast in the first set, dominating at the net and capitalizing on mistakes made by the Tigers. They held a convincing lead and eventually ran away with it to win the first set 25-15.  

In the second set, it was much of the same. They came out fast and intense to take the lead. The Tigers did for a moment, close the gap on the scoreboard and put it within three points. However, the Mavericks, led by Kardyn Martinez, Lilliana Roylance and Caitlin Decubber, were able to diminish any momentum the Tigers had built.  

“It's the girls, I just tell them, ‘Let the beast out, go and do your thing. Play true to yourself, play true to the team, play true to what you know and how you can play,’ and then they just lock in and go,” Trammell said.  

The Tigers seemed to respond early in the third set, jumping out to a 3-0 lead over the Mavs. Even when the Mavs retook the lead, they were able to keep it close for a while.  

“It was really exciting to see Lexi Chornuk come alive. She kind of struggled offensively for a while, but to see her take a really good rip on a couple balls, I think, was a huge confidence booster for some of them. We had a couple of really big digs, which is huge,” Tigers Head Coach Britney MacLeod said.  

During a timeout, Trammell said she challenged her players to refocus and retake control of the game.  

“We were flat on our feet, and we were just expecting the ball to come to us. I just think that we let down and we were on our heels instead of our toes. During that time out, we're like, again, ‘Stay true to yourself. Move to the ball, anticipate it and go,’” Trammell said.  

The Mavs went on a scoring run to widen the gap on the scoreboard and ultimately won the set 25-17 and the overall game 3-0.  

For the Tigers, it was their last game of the regular season.  

MacLeod said it was tough to see some of the mental errors made by the Tigers. She attributed preparation to something to work on going forward.  

“It's always tough going into a bigger team, our goal was to be competitive and to get a lot of hustle plays down. There were times we really hung into it, and then there were times where we just really had no follow-through,” she said.  

As they look ahead to the district tournament, she knows it will be a challenge, but said her players love the sport. She is hopeful to feed into that and see them complete more hustle plays.  

“Going to have to be consistent, and we're going to have to make sure we take care of the ball at the service line,” MacLeod said.  

Decubber brought an intensity at the net alongside Martinez to aid the Mavs to their victory. Trammell said her approach to volleyball is nothing new. No matter the sport, she brings full effort.  

“She gives 150% out there every single time on the court. She's going to move on defense, wherever she's at; she's going to make the play. When you combine that with the other personalities and the other ones that are locked in, they gravitate to that,” Trammell said.  

Trammell introduced new players to the rotation. Some of which were called up from the junior varsity roster as part of their ladder system, she said. This not only allows new players to get more experience, but Trammell said she can start planning for the future.  

“They work hard. We have that ladder system, so when those girls work hard, we're going to acknowledge that. We're already preparing for the postseason next season. We're already looking at where our girls are,” she said.  

With only three games left, Trammell said their focus will be to continue fine-tuning their game plan and make sure they are peaking at the right time. They have been preparing for the various scenarios they could find themselves in when they reach the district tournament and possibly the state tournament.  

“We watch a lot of film, and so we know offensively and defensively what we need to do, the different defenses that we can maneuver. The knowledge that these girls have and are able to implement on the court is fantastic,” Trammell said.  

The Mavericks host Prosser on Oct. 25 in a non-league game at 1 p.m.  

BOX SCORE: 

MAVS: 25-25-25: 3
EPHT: 15-14-17: 0  

    The Tigers’ Sidney Chornuk (5) watches for the ball to be served by the Mavericks. Head Coach Britney MacLeod said her team had moments where they hung in the game.
  

    Bella Minor (7) serves the ball for the Mavericks against the Tigers on Thursday. Head Coach Krystal Trammell said she was able to work some newer players into the rotation. She said it was great for them to get the experience.
  

    Tigers player Faith Rodriguez (1) leaps into the air as she serves the ball to Mavericks on Thursday.