MOSES LAKE — On Saturday, the Mavs defeated Hermiston at home 3-1 to secure their first victory of the season. Head coach Krystal Trammell said her players came to play.  

“The girls were very excited,” Trammell said. “They like playing Hermiston; they are a really good team. They're fast-paced, and they were pretty hyped up to get out there and play again."  

Start to finish, it was a competitive matchup for the Mavs, she said. The Hermiston student section brought a loud energy that attempted to throw off the Mavericks. They lost the first set to Hermiston 25-21. Trammell said her players remained confident and composed in their huddle after the first set. They discussed the pace of the game and how they wanted to get back into the game. 

From there, they took the next three sets, winning 25-23, 25-21 and 25-17 to secure the win. Trammell said Caitlin Decubber, Kardyn Martinez, Lilliana Roylance and Madison Whitworth had strong performances for the Mavs.  

Decubber had 11 kills and 20 digs. Martinez had nine kills and 11 digs. Roylance had eight kills. Whitworth rounded out the stat sheet with seven kills and 13 digs. Kills are awarded when a player's attack, like a spike, results in a point. A dig is awarded when a player uses their forearms to pass the ball back into the air to keep the rally going and prevent the ball from hitting the ground.  

Trammell credits this season’s mantra, “warrior mentality,” to helping the team earn its first win Saturday. Throughout the game, the Mavs did not show much emotion during play; instead, they remained calm and composed.  

“It’s the warrior mentality,” she said. “You're going to see us get mentally prepared in the beginning. We have our game face on. We're mentally preparing and it's during the match that they get more hyped up, and that's when you're going to see the girls just take off with that confidence.” 

Trammell said the team spent a lot of time studying film to prepare for Hermiston. It helped them discover tendencies and know what to expect so they would not be surprised by anything during the game. She said it instilled confidence in the players the moment they stepped on the court.  

“At first, we were a little slow again at that pace, but once they picked it up, I thought they were closing their blocks really well. A lot of good communication. You could tell they were placing the ball. Hermiston missed quite a few serves, so we capitalized off of that, and when they got into their rhythm, they were able to pass better, and our setters were able to run an offense,” Trammell said.  

The Mavericks play Othello on Tuesday and Sunnyside on Thursday for their first league matchup. Trammell said their jamboree against Warden and Othello last Thursday will help them fine-tune certain things.  

She said the Huskies volleyball team always provides good competition and helps them iron out what they want to improve on. However, after their first game, Trammell is confident in her team's mental game.  

“They kept their composure the entire way, and we were very collaborative in our time-outs,” she said. “I always ask, ‘What do you see? What are you feeling?’ To get that input was fantastic, because you can see the maturity level, and you can see them really strategize and be with each other ... Listening to them in the huddles and on the court is fantastic. They're a very composed team." 

    Mavs Allison Bond prepares for a serve against Hermiston on Saturday. Head Coach Krystal Trammell said her team was well composed against tough competition.
  

    Mavs senior Kardyn Martinez begins her serve against Hermiston on Saturday. Martinez recorded nine kills and 11 digs in their victory.
  

    Mavs volleyball celebrates another scored point against Hermiston on Saturday. Head Coach Krystal Trammell said her team did a good job of communicating and strategizing.
  

    The Mavericks bench and coaching staff celebrate after they scored a point against Hermiston Saturday. The Mavs only dropped the first set before winning three straight to win 3-1.
  

    Madison Whitworth leaps to complete a serve against Hermiston on Saturday. Whitworth had seven kills and 13 digs.