Chiefs volleyball turns back Wildcats

MOSES LAKE - The Moses Lake Chiefs improved their record to 2-0 in the Columbia Basin Big Nine Conference (CBBN) with a four set (21-23, 25-14, 25-21, 25-21) home victory over the Eastmont Wildcats last night.

"It was an exciting win for us," coach Amy Utter said. "We have a good group of experienced kids who have been playing together for a while and are really starting to come together as a team now."

Eastmont had the height advantage over the Chiefs, but Moses Lake more than made up the difference with hustle and intensity as the Chiefs scrambled after every lose ball and made outstanding saves all match long.

"The girls are really fun to watch," Utter said. "They are a scrappy team and really get after it."

The Chiefs got out to an 8-1 lead in the first game, but a 20-11 run put the Wildcats up 21-19. Moses Lake hung tough and tied the score 21-21, but four straight points by Eastmont sealed the first set 25-21.

The Chiefs fell behind 5-2 in the second set, but closed it out with a 23-12 run to even the match.

The third set was a see-saw battle as the teams exchanged runs and tied the game three times, the last at 18-18. Moses Lake scored seven of the final 10 points in the set to win it 25-21.

The Chiefs won the fourth set 25-21 to take the match.

Carina Lefave led the Moses Lake attack with nine kills and 18 digs.

Sadie Nielsen had nine kills and four aces, Kylee McKay tallied 18 assists, Libero Taylor Sonnenberg added 19 digs and Kenzie Fancher finished with eight assists.

Moses Lake is back on the court Saturday when the Chiefs head east to Spokane to take on the Lewis and Clark Tigers in a nonleague match.

"Lewis and Clark has a quality program," Utter said. "This match should be a good measuring stick for us,"