MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Mavericks (4-8) took a tough loss against the Wenatchee Panthers Thursday evening. With just a few more games until the end of the regular season, the Mavs are working to finish on a high note. 

"The girls kept their composure," said Head Coach Krystal Trammell-Walt. "They were fun to watch; they did really well and we were putting people in different positions. Everyone got in, so it was a fun time." 

Moses Lake struggled to gain momentum in the first set, which allowed Wenatchee to gain an early lead. The Panthers had the offensive advantage as they found ways to consistently score throughout the set. 

The Mavs worked to get back into the game, but costly errors kept the ball out of possession which ended in a 25-12 loss. 

MLHS saw a much better start to the second set as the score remained close between the two teams early on. The Mavs claimed the lead for the first time in the match as they got up 6-4 over the Panthers. 

Wenatchee quickly regained the lead, but Moses Lake stayed close by and caught up once again at 12-12. The lead changed a few more times before MLHS went up 20-19 and forced an opposing timeout. 

The Panthers came back to regain their lead and despite the fight shown by the Mavs, Wenatchee won 25-22. 

In the third set, Wenatchee once again was firing on all cylinders and with early traction got up 11-2 over Moses Lake. The Panthers continued to abuse holes in the Mavs defense to build a substantial lead, and despite Moses Lake's efforts, Wenatchee finished the night on a 25-10 victory. 

"All of the girls have a drive, and they're determined to make sure that we continue going, that there are no lapses," said Trammell-Walt. "They've really stepped up their game in practice and watching (Thursday), we could put people in different positions and they did well." 

Moses Lake was without their biggest hitter and a senior leader in Maddy Witwer who went down after Tuesday's game against Eisenhower. While each of the players stepped up as a leader in their own way, the coach said Allison Bond's similar leadership qualities to Witwer really showed on the court Thursday.  

"A lot of the players looked to (Allison) for that guidance and being a setter; she's like the quarterback of the team," she said. "She's the one who contacts the ball." 

MLHS sophomore Brynlie Ciganda was once again a standout on the court as she stepped in as an outside hitter rather than her usual role as a backup setter. Throughout the game Ciganda provided key offensive pushes and earned kills that kept Moses Lake in the game.  

Mia Lopez, a junior for the Mavs, was pulled up from the JV squad to help fill in on varsity Thursday. Trammell-Walt said Lopez has been working hard all season and has consistently made an impact on the squad. 

Middles like junior Hadley Whittall also had their fastest pace this season and were also crucial in scoring points and keeping that second set competitive. 

"I could say something positive about every single one of them, just in a different light," said Trammell-Walt. "Everyone contributed." 

This ability to have players seamlessly shift into different positions and look past trials in a game like Thursday is, she said, a testament to the program and what they expect from their players. 

"We make it known from the beginning when you enter the program that we want you to be an all-around player," said the coach. "It's the expectation that you know different positions because you never know when you're going to be needed." 

The confidence shown by the Mavs Thursday, even when things got challenging on the court, was something that Trammell-Walt said was an important takeaway for the girls to apply as they head into the final weeks of the season. 

"They just didn't stop," she said. "They're scrappier than what they were before, the blocking has always been there. They're doing well and it's the perfect time at the end of the season to do so." 

Moses Lake is in the hunt for a playoff spot, and these final weeks will be seeing every team across the Big 9 working to peak. After Thursday's game against Wenatchee, who is currently the top seeded team in the league, Trammell-Walt said seeing that level of competition should keep the Mavs spark burning for the weeks ahead. 

"Wenatchee is fun," said the coach. "They're a good program, love talking with their coaches and even the girls on the team. It's nice to have that camaraderie with the people in the league like that." 

She said the Mavs' mindsets are focused on making sure they finish out the season strong and leave everything out on the court. With what is being shown by younger players on the team stepping up, the coach is looking forward to what is coming. 

"The sun is bright and we're excited because that just shows our future," said Trammell-Walt. 

The Mavs head on the road Tuesday as they face Sunnyside at 6:30 p.m. 

BOX SCORE: 

WNTC: 25-25-25: 3 

MLHS: 12-22-10: 0 

    Brynlie Ciganda (9), a sophomore for the Mavs, celebrates with her teammates after making a kill on the court Thursday evening.
  

    MLHS junior Hadley Whittall spikes the ball over the net for a kill during the game against Wenatchee.