YAKIMA - Big Bend volleyball picked up an important road win against Yakima Valley to stay in contention for the fourth playoff spot in the NWAC East region.

Behind a strong effort from outside hitter Shania Bateman, the Vikings edged the Yaks in five sets 18-25, 25-20, 25-18, 24-26, 15-9.

"It was a close one for sure, but I felt like our team did a good job of controlling the match," head coach Steve Duncan.

Bateman recorded a match-high 18 kills and 8 digs in the win. Duncan said that Bateman was her usual consistent self until the fourth and fifth sets.

"In the fourth and fifth set she was lights out," he said.

Whitney Southam and Brooke Bowers had 8 and 7 kills, respectively. Kennedy Bell and Rebecca Egan each had 19 digs and McKenzi Lott led Big Bend (5-5, 17-15) with 26 assists.

Currently, Big Bend trails Wenatchee Valley by one game for the final playoff spot.

The Vikings will travel to face first place Blue Mountain on Oct. 31.

Girls soccer

Ellensburg 1, Ephrata 0

ELLENSBURG - An early goal by Ellensburg's Reyna Schedler was the difference in the CWAC showdown between undefeated Ephrata and Ellensburg.

The Bulldogs nursed a 1-0 lead for the majority of the match and handed the Tigers their first loss of the season.

Ephrata had multiple opportunities to tie the match in the second half, but saves by Ellensburg goalkeeper Rachel Engeland preserved the lead.

Ephrata will miss out on the CWAC league title due to Ellensburg winning the preseason draw. The draw was the third tiebreaker after head-to-head play and points.

The two teams split their season series and both have 8 points.

The Tigers will be the No. 2 seed in the District 5/6 2A Girls Soccer Tournament, which begins Oct. 30.

Other Basin scores

• East Valley (Yakima) 2, Othello 0
• Grandview 4, Quincy 0