Moses Lake ready to compete in tough Big Nine

MOSES LAKE — Head volleyball coach Michael DeHoog watched intently from the sideline as his team scrimmaged during Thursday’s practice, offering instruction when compelled.

The Chiefs — young throughout the program — will be a scrappy team this season, led by five returning varsity players: Alexa Cox, Elly Johnson, Amy Lunderville, Yasmin Shateri and Krista Hutsell.

Moses Lake graduated eight seniors from last year’s team, which finished 4-8 in the Columbia Basin Big Nine and lost a district play-in match to Wenatchee.

Cox, Johnson and Lunderville are the three seniors on this year’s team that also features three freshmen.

DeHoog will get his first look at his team in live action Saturday at a jamboree in Wenatchee.

“I use it as a gauge to see kind of where we’re at under pressure, I guess,” he said. “It doesn’t count, but we’re wearing our uniforms, doing everything game-like for the first time... No matter how hard you go in practice you can’t create the same environment as a match so that kind of gives us that introduction to get us ready for the season.

“I’m just looking to work on things. Try different lineups, see which kids play well next to each other... Basically just work out the kinks and get ready for the season.”

Moses Lake has the added bonus of extra practice time and game action before its first league match. A year ago the Chiefs had a jamboree and then a non-league contest against Lewis and Clark before their CBBN opener with Eisenhower.

This season, the Chiefs will have an opportunity to compete in the Ephrata Varsity Invitational before their first league match against Eastmont on Sept. 13.

“I’m actually really happy about that, that extra bit of practice,” DeHoog said. “Program wide we’re pretty young this year. It just gives me an extra chance to get the kids up to speed on my expectations. Athletically I’m really happy with where we’re at, but they still have to learn what I expect of them.”

West Valley and Eisenhower expect to be the class of the CBBN again. West Valley won the league and district championship before finishing third at the state tournament.

Eisenhower’s only losses in the Big Nine came against the rival Rams. The Cadets also bring back star hitter Jesse Sydney.

Moses Lake’s offense will rely on the hitting power of Johnson, Shateri, Cox and freshman Gabi Rios.

“Chemistry-wise I think we’re going to be solid,” DeHoog said. “They’re all very, very good kids that are hungry to learn, they’re hungry to get better.”

Othello in the mix for return to state

Othello has holes to fill if it wants a return trip to the state tournament this season.

The Huskies outlasted Clarkston in five sets to earn its second ever trip to state in 2015, but graduated eight players on that team. All-league players Becky Boersma, Alysse Roosma and Kylee Hawley are gone. However, second team libero Allison Garza returns.

Othello will have to contend with Ellensburg, who return six players from its state runner-up team, and Selah, a seventh place finisher at state, in the Central Washington Athletic Conference.

Ephrata will look to improve on a 3-9 record in the CWAC. The Tigers return all-league honorable mention libero Kiana Miller.

Quincy advanced to the opening round of last year’s district tournament before losing to Prosser in four sets. The Jacks return all-league second team outside hitter Natalie Thomsen.

Warden returns to South Central Athletic Conference

Warden returns to the Class 1A South Central Athletic Conference East after two years at 2B.

The Cougars made the 2B state tournament in 2015, but graduated five all-league players, including MVP Shania Kisler.

Kiona-Benton reached the state tournament out of the SCAC East a season ago.