Mavs overcome adversity to sweep Hanford in three sets

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Mavericks volleyball team (1-0) kicked off the 2026 season with a 3-0 win over the Hanford Falcons on Thursday.  

“They came out mentally strong, fundamentally strong and excited to play,” Head Coach Krystal Trammell said.  

The Mavs won all three sets, but each round was a unique battle of its own. In the first set, they held the lead the entire time, but Hanford kept it close, at times cutting their deficit to within one point before Moses Lake ultimately pulled away 25-18.  

From there, Hanford jumped out to a 5-0 lead before the Mavericks got on the board. At one point down by 10, MLHS climbed their way back, winning the second set narrowly 25-23.  

By the third set, both teams had settled into the game, but Moses Lake took momentum early. Though Hanford tied it multiple times, Moses Lake was able to pull ahead 25-19 just like they did in the first set and earn their first win of the regular season.  

“They did what we worked on in practice, and they worked hard. They maintained that second step. They came back from a 10-point deficit, and it didn't rattle them. That's a huge lesson for us, but just the fact they didn't give up, and they utilize their volleyball IQ, what we do in practice – can't be happier,” Trammell said. 

Set one 

The Mavericks took a 4-1 lead to open the first set before Hanford responded with a few scores to cut the game to 5-4. Despite the Falcons combative nature, the Moses Lake defense showed strong defensive reflexes to maintain their lead throughout.  

Hanford often attacked the Mavs right side at the net, but players like Hadley Whittall, Hannah Crozier, Allison Bond and Chloe Massoth were there consistently blocking kill attempts by the Falcons. 

“We've always been a traditionally strong blocking team,” Trammell said. “They carried that forward into this season. They get so excited, and it's dynamic when you're able to shut down a six-two outside hitter. When they were able to do that, it just fell into place.” 

The two teams continued a tight battle until the Mavericks were able to pull away 25-18, with Massoth earning the set winning kill.  

Set two 

The Falcons came out of the break and turned the game on its head momentarily when they jumped out to a 5-0 lead, and they built their lead from there to a 10-point lead over Moses Lake. The hot start forced Trammell to call timeout and regroup with her team with a straightforward message. 

“Lock in, do our thing, remember what our standard is, and take your time with it,” she said. “You're going to be just fine, one point at a time, and then whatever that outcome is, we just work harder every time.” 

Coming out of the timeout, the Mavericks started to climb back into the game, cutting their deficit to 14-10. For the ensuing rallies, the Mavs went through a few instances of cutting the score within two before giving up another point to Hanford. However, they kept chipping away until they tied the set at 19-19 and moments later reclaiming the lead 20-19 and forcing Hanford behind the eight ball.  

Despite the Falcons tying the game twice more, Moses Lake inched ahead enough to win the set 25-23.  

Set three 

By the start of the third set, both teams were settled into the game and a back and forth battle unfolded. Tied up 2-2 early, the Mavericks took the lead 9-2 to swing momentum fully in their favor.  

However, Hanford showed they weren’t going quietly as they strung together a comeback to tie the game 12-12. The two teams went back and forth with the Mavs reclaiming the lead multiple times, and the Falcons erasing two-point deficits to tie it again. Strong play at the net by Moses Lake helped them build a 18-14 lead and maintain it until they sealed the game off a Hanford error to win the third set 25-19. 

Throughout the game, the Mavs were strong defensively at the net and kept the Falcons off balance at times. Trammell attributed some of their highlight moments from Thursday to their preparation. 

“We watched film from last year, and so we knew their tendencies,” she said. “It was to serve tough and get them as out of system as possible. They didn't have the three option; they had to go to one or two. If you can isolate that, they're not able to run their offense the way they want to, so absolutely intentional for the way we served and what we did, kept them honest.” 

Though the win feels great, Trammell and the Mavs know it’s a long season, and they’ll be seeking consistent improvement.  

“We miss way too many serves (in) critical time, but then they come on and do well,” the coach said. “We take a look at what we did here, and I always ask them, ‘What are three things that we did good? What are three things that we can work on?’ They see it on the court. We just continue doing what we're doing.”  

The Mavericks return to the court Tuesday, Sept. 8 when they host the Ephrata Tigers at 6:30 p.m. 

BOX SCORE: 

HFRD: 18-23-19: 0 

MLHS: 25-25-25: 3

    Maddy Witwer (5) and Chloe Massoth (11) set their feet before the ball is spiked back over the net. Head Coach Krystal Trammell said the Mavs were strong at the net defensively against Hanford, Thursday.
  

    The Mavs defensive specialist Ava Garbe (3) eyes the Hanford Falcons ahead of their next serve, Thursday.
  

    Allison Bond (8) sets the ball for a teammate against Hanford, Thursday.
  

    A Mavs mosh pit ensues after defeating the Hanford Falcons 3-0, Thursday.
  

    Maddy Witwer (5) serves the ball against Hanford, Thursday.