It was a battle for the conference lead in Charlo Saturday night as the Lady Vikings hosted surging Hot Springs for the top spot in the Western 14C volleyball standings.

In the end, the host Vikings held off the Lady Heat in a down to the wire fourth set, 26-24, securing a narrow and hard-fought 3-1 win over Hot Springs and undisputed ownership of the league standings.

Hot Springs came into the game fresh off an overwhelming victory sweep of winless Two Eagle River two nights earlier.

Against Charlo, the Lady Heat, who were riding a five-game winning streak, fell behind the home team early, dropping the first set 25-19. However, the Lady Heat bounced back in the second set and fought off Charlo 25-23 to square the match at one set each.

But the Lady Vikes overcame that narrow loss and posted a 25-19 win in the pivotal third set to take a 2-1 match lead.

Then came the nail-biter of a fourth set, with Hot Springs battling to force a fifth set tie-breaker and Charlo hoping to wrap up a win that would keep their conference record unblemished on the year.

In a set that featured numerous ties and lead changes, including a 24-24 tie, Charlo found a way to win, holding off the Lady Heat for a 26-24 set triumph which gave them the match by a 3-1 count.

Hot Springs had several players who posted double figure match statistics, including 10 kills by senior Lauryn Aldridge, who also had a block as she battled the experienced Charlo front line most of the night.

Junior Brooke Jackson also had a good night for Hot Springs, posting three service aces, five kills and a team best 17 assists. Jackson also had four digs.

Two Lady Heat players tied for the team lead in digs, with sophomores Kara Christensen and Callie Cano recording 10 each. Christensen also had seven service aces, four kills and three blocks and she teamed with Aldridge in trying to counter the potent Charlo front line.

The win boosted Charlo to 6-0 in 14C play and 7-2 overall. The loss dropped Hot Springs to 5-3 in the conference and 6-3 on the season. The Lady Heat remained second in the standings.

Hot Springs opened their week with a relatively easy road win over Two Eagle River in Pablo. The Heat jumped out to a 1-0 match lead by taking the opening set 25-10. They followed that victory with a 25-13 set two win, giving them a commanding 2-0 match advantage.

Hot Springs put the match away in the third set, coasting to a 25-11 win to complete the 3-0 sweep.

Christensen had another outstanding match against the Lady Eagles, chalking up a match best 11 aces, as well as four kills and three digs. Jackson also had a good outing, recording five assists, three kills, one ace and one dig for the Lady Heat.

Next on the agenda for Hot Springs is a Thursday night (Oct 12) home game versus Two Eagle, their only scheduled match this week. Thursday is also Senior Night for the Heat.