Chiefs take match from Falcons

Moses Lake earns season's first victory

MOSES LAKE - The Moses Lake Chiefs volleyball team rebounded from a first game loss to defeat the visiting Hanford Falcons 3-1 Thursday night.

The Chiefs fell to Hanford 25-20 in game one before rallying to win the next three games 25-9, 25-20, and 25-16.

Moses Lake head coach Amy Utter said her team responded following its game one loss.

"That first game was a little shaky," she said. "I think they just decided it's time to step it up and do their jobs. They did."

During Moses Lake's second game win Thursday night the Chiefs rolled to a 12-4 lead, but Utter was focused on her team's performance.

"In the second game I really did not pay attention to the score," she said. "I just focused on individually what they needed to do."

While Utter coached her team on the sidelines, senior captain Shelby Gonzales took control of her team on the floor.

Gonzales led the Chiefs with 12 kills and 18 digs and her play was important to Moses Lake's success Thursday night, Utter said.

"Shelby is extremely competitive," Utter said. "She really has raised her level of play already this season. She is a co-captain and she leads with her words and competitiveness, and also with her skill."

While Gonzales helped inspire her team Thursday night, she credits her teammates for the win.

"Our team just pulled it out and finally clicked," she said. "I love them, they are awesome. They all played well and everyone is a part of it."

After a slow start to the season, Gonzales said her team was prepared for Hanford.

"To expect victory," she said was the key to Moses Lake's performance.

Following the win, Utter said the victory was important for her team and the season.

"That's a big monkey off of our back at this point," she said. "We just needed our first win to get some momentum and build some confidence. I think this was it."