Moses Lake falls to Wenatchee
Moses Lake falls to Wenatchee
MOSES LAKE — The Lady Chiefs celebrated senior night with escorts courtesy of the football team, roses, candy and emotion Tuesday.
Senior night emotions run high for Lady Chiefs
MOSES LAKE — The Lady Chiefs celebrated senior night with escorts courtesy of the football team, roses, candy and emotion Tuesday.
Moses Lake's roster boasts eight seniors: Kelsey Padilla, Jhenesis Garza, Amanda Mckenzie, Amanda Hickman, Brianne Roylance, Taisha Haines, Morgan Yearout and Janet Tuff.
After giving flowers to their mothers, standing next to their fathers and having photos taken by a host of fans and yearbook photographers, it was down to the business of volleyball.
A slow start in game one made Moses Lake play catch-up with Hickman and Rebecca Madrishin earning a kill apiece through the first half of the game and Madrishin earning a block to force a Wenatchee sideout.
Garza relinquished serve with a quick sideout for Moses Lake and the Lady Chiefs found themselves back on defense facing a 10-7 deficit. A kill by Roylance stopped Wenatchee's ensuing scoring run to keep Moses Lake in the game.
The Lady Chiefs followed it up with a kill by Haines during Madrishin's time behind the line to make it a two-point game before siding out.
Both teams continued to battle for supremecy, including a rally that showcased the hustle play of both teams. Wenatchee eventually won the rally and followed it up with an ace serve before siding out.
Moses Lake continued to struggle behind the line with back-to-back sideouts, resulting in points and play for Wenatchee. The Lady Panthers took a commanding 23-11 lead before the Lady Chiefs' could earn a sideout and muster two points.
The Lady Chiefs earned just two more points in the game, losing 25-15 and falling behind one game in the match.
"Amidst the emotion of senior night I think we forgot to do what we do in that first game," said head coach Amy Utter.
Moses Lake got off to a blazing quick start in game two, earning an 8-1 lead with serving from Roylance and Haines. Haines served five unanswered points including two aces. Also in on the early lead effort were Garza and Madrishin with one hit and one block respectively.
Madrishin furthered Moses Lake's dominant play by adding four more points to the score with a kill from Roylance and a block from Haines.
The Lady Chiefs spread the serving around, each server earning a few points for the team. Shayla May, Roylance and Haines each contributed to a 24-15 lead before a sideout during Haines' serve ended the final scoring surge.
"Taisha's value doesn't always show up in her stats," said Utter. "She quietly goes along and takes care of business."
Wenatchee earned a sideout but could not take advantage of the opportunity, giving Moses Lake their only win in the match 25-16.
In game's three and four Moses Lake kept up with Wenatchee until the Lady Panthers put together scoring runs to seperate themselves from the Lady Chiefs. In game three that run came after a Moses Lake sideout at 11-8. Wenatchee pulled ahead 16-8 and never looked back, winning the game 25-11. A similar occurrance in game four ended Moses Lake's hopes to push a game five. The Lady Chiefs sided out after earning their ninth point and Wenatchee took advantage of the service possession, earning six consecutive points to make it 20-9. Wenatchee went on to win 25-13.
May earned 25 assists, 12 digs and two aces. Roylance had 10 kills and 17 digs. Garza had five kills and six digs. Haines contributed four kills, nine digs and four aces. Madrishin had four kills and three blocks. Hickman had eight kills and 17 digs. Padilla had 12 digs.
"After the emotion of senior introductions, you could see that some of these girls were playing like it's their last game. Amanda (Hickman) really settled in and you could see the determination and desire in her eyes," Utter said.
Moses Lake's last regular season game is Thursday at Pasco and with the Lady Chiefs sitting in sixth place they are planning for a spot in districts.
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