Lions set with smaller but strong squad
CALEB PEREZ | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 weeks, 6 days AGO
MLCA senior Taylor Starnes hits the ball during an early season practice session.
CALEB PEREZ/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
Mattie Whitaker from the Lions bumps the ball up in a drill at preseason practice.
Abby Stanley, a senior from the Lions, keeps her eye on the ball at practice early in the season.
Lions player Clarissa Shopbell sets the ball for one of her teammates during a quick four-on-four match in practice.
MLCA’s Vesta Koethke prepares to serve during a practice match against her teammates early in the season.
MOSES LAKE — Despite seeing a smaller roster this year, the Moses Lake Christian Academy Lions volleyball team is looking to build off their success from last season. With strong returners, the Lions are on track to stay competitive.
“We lost some people, but we’ll be able to fill in, so that’ll be nice. Not quite at the numbers that we normally have, but we’ll make it work,” said Lions Head Coach Dean Spurbeck.
The Lions concluded their 2025 season with a 10-8 record after battling through a tough Central Washington B League. MLCA entered into the postseason district tournament where they entered as the fourth seed and fell to the fifth seeded Pateros in the second round.
Before the 2026 season began, the Lions had a significant drop in their roster after MLCA and Covenant Christian School were no longer partnered for athletics. Despite this, the Lions are still looking at a solid roster of highly competitive athletes with many being starters from last season.
MLCA will have seniors Abby Stanley and Taylor Starne on the squad this season, who are set to lead the team. Both players have had years of experience in the sport and are ready to get their senior season started.
“I’m really excited about it, a little nervous,” said Starnes. “This is my second year here and last year was amazing for my junior year, starting off. Everybody’s amazing, all the girls are so kind, I love the community here and I’m really glad that I can spend my senior year here.”
“It’s wild,” said Stanley. “I just can’t believe it’s gone by so fast, but I’m really excited to see how much the girls have improved over the summer.”
As she works through her senior year with the volleyball team, Starnes said she is striving to make a change in how she performs on the court. Her goal this season through practice, and in games, is to get at least 10% better each day while bringing energy on the court and help build up and lead the team around her.
For Stanley and Starnes, stepping into the leadership position is going to be important for them this season. With a young team stepping in again this season, Stanley said it will be important for the seniors to help their teammates become leaders themselves and, most importantly, remember to have fun while playing.
Starnes said she is looking forward to the opportunity to travel and compete alongside her teammates.
For Stanley, she is ready to see the competition that lies ahead.
“I’m just really excited to go against some harder teams and have fun with the girls,” said Stanley. “Just enjoy my last season.”
Despite having a younger squad with only two seniors, Spurbeck said the team now consists mostly of sophomores and juniors this season.
“Some of those younger ones are starting to get older, and you can notice a difference with just their strength and stuff,” he said.
In early season practices, MLCA has been training to spread the ball out more to allow for three hitters rather than relying solely on the outside hitter. The coach said this means the girls are going to need stronger ball control to accomplish this.
While the overall goal is always set for state, to get there setting the goal of improving their ball control will be the key to their success. With a solid group of returners from all grade levels returning this season, Spurbeck expects the team’s intelligence and maturity increase to play a critical role throughout the season.
“I want them to be able to think and not just go to a spot,” said Spurbeck. “I want them to be able to look and see what’s going on, who they’re looking at and come up with a plan in their head of what they’re doing.”
The Lions begin their season at home against Wilson Creek Sept. 8 at 6:15 p.m.
Mattie Whitaker from the Lions bumps the ball up in a drill at preseason practice.
Abby Stanley, a senior from the Lions, keeps her eye on the ball at practice early in the season.
Lions player Clarissa Shopbell sets the ball for one of her teammates during a quick four-on-four match in practice.
MLCA’s Vesta Koethke prepares to serve during a practice match against her teammates early in the season.ARTICLES BY CALEB PEREZ
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