Lady Lions pop Kernels

MOSES LAKE - The Moses Lake Christian Lady Lions volleyball team wrapped up their 2008 regular season Thursday night with senior night and a sweep of the visiting Mansfield Kernels.

Moses Lake Christian won 25-11, 25-18 and 25-10 to earn the North Central Washington 1B league victory.

Prior to the match, Moses Lake Christian recognized seniors Kaylee Firouzi, Courtney Hunt, Kyndra Jones, Esther Timofeyev and Rebecca Verhage for their contributions to the league champion Lady Lions program.

Firouzi led the Lady Lions with 19 assists and added seven aces in the win.

Timofeyev guided the Moses Lake Christian attack with 10 kills and Verhage had five kills and eight aces from the service line.

After the match head coach Dean Spurbeck said he is satisfied with the dedication of his seniors.

"I am proud of my senior class," he said. "These seniors were the first group of kids that I've had the whole way through high school. I will definitely miss them. They are a good bunch."

With the victory, Moses Lake Christian finished the regular season with an 11-1 league record and 13-1 overall.

The Lady Lions have continued to surprise and impress their coach this season.

"It's been another strong year," Spurbeck said. "We lost a lot of starters last year and the girls have stepped in and filled those positions well."

Moses Lake Christian's regular season has concluded and Spurbeck and his Lady Lions are looking forward to districts.

"We are going to start breaking some of the teams down and start working on their weaknesses," Spurbeck said of his postseason preparation. "Our next step is to prepare for districts and play well and go to state. That is our ultimate goal."

While the Lady Lions have not punched their ticket to the state tournament yet, Spurbeck said his team has fulfilled all of his expectations.

"I already look at the season as being successful," he said. "They have played at a level that I like them to play at."

The North Central Washington 1B league released its all-league rosters Thursday.

Moses Lake Christian's Timofeyev was the Lady Lions lone first team selection and was voted the league's most valuable player by the coaches.

Firouzi and Verhage both earned second team all-league selections.

All-league selections

League Most Valuable Player

Esther Timofeyev

Moses Lake Christian

Team Sportsmanship Award

Thorp

Coach of the Year Award

Jesse Stueckle - Thorp

First Team

1.) Esther Timofeyev Moses Lake Christian

2.) Ksenje Fredere

Wilson Creek

3.) Jaci Bayless

Mansfield

4.) Caroline Glaves

Thorp

5.) Rachel Bearslee

Pateros

6.) Jackie Treat

Wilson Creek

Libero - Dani Gamble

Thorp

Second Team

1.) Kaylee Firouzi

Moses Lake Christian

2.) Morgan Lowery Thorp

3.) Amanda Fitzgerald

Easton

4.) Kelsey Campbell

Wilson Creek

5.) Rebecca Verhage

Moses Lake Christian

6.) Tiffany Marchmonte

Cascade Christian