MOSES LAKE — The Big Bend Community College Vikings volleyball team (2-13) played in a close three-set match against Columbia Basin College on Friday evening, but ultimately fell to their opponent 0-3.

“(CBC) has some solid hitters that just came in with a lot of speed and quickness,” said Vikings head coach Lindsey Linthicum. “We’re just still trying to find that inner confidence.”

The Vikings started off slow, losing their first set 12-25. Linthicum said she had the players try out a different rotation to switch things up, but this caused the team to struggle.

Linthicum said the Vikings also struggled with trusting in one another during the first set and that needed to change if they wanted to have more success. As the game progressed, the players began working together more on the court through communication and lifting each other up.

“You’re playing not just for yourself, but you’re playing for the person next to you,” she said.

Going into the second set, the Vikings went back to their normal game plan and found much more success, she said. While the second set was a slow start, the team gradually dug itself out and despite losing 24-26, they fought a much closer battle.

“It just goes to show that we’re young and we’re new and we’re rebuilding, but we’re not letting that defeat dictate who we are as a program,” said Linthicum.

The third set continued this mindset as the Vikings pulled ahead of CBC at the start. The two teams traded leads multiple times throughout the final set before CBC ultimately came ahead to win 25-23.

Oaklee Woolsey made five kills for the Vikings, while Haedynn Plum and Charley Utley both hit four. On defense, Jah Chong and Natania Vela anchored the back row, combining for 17 digs in total.

Linthicum said she was very proud of what her team accomplished in their games as they are showing continued growth in the season. Above everything, she was impressed with how well her team would fight even when they are down.

“We are at the cusp of just taking it. It’s just finding that inner confidence,” she said. “Those mistakes that we make aren’t dictating us, and we will push and fight to the end to take that victory, and we’re seeing it more and more through each game and through each set.”

In preparation for their upcoming games, Linthicum said the Vikings are going to put a focus on increasing the speed of the hitters when they’re in a server seat position. Going forward, she would like the team to be ready to set themselves up in good positions during rallies.

“That’s something that I think is setting other teams apart from us is that they’re ready to swing away in long rallies,” she said. “It’s just finding that courage and that gump to know you can swing away in long rallies and be composed and get that point in that regard.”

The Vikings' next game will be on the road today at 5 p.m., where they will face off against Treasure Valley. Their next home game will be Friday at 6 p.m. against Spokane.

Linthicum said the Vikings are also doing a fundraiser at their home games leading up to their Pink Night game Oct. 22. The team is raffling off a gift basket, which includes a variety of items such as chocolate and a $50 gift card to Michael’s. All proceeds will go to the Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation.

BOX SCORE:

BBCC: 12-24-23: 0

CBC: 25-26-25

    The Vikings’ Jaeda Gonzalez goes for a kill hit during the game against Columbia Basin College. The Vikings made a strong push in the second and third sets after struggling in the first.
  

    Raegan Golladay bumps the ball over the net in the Vikings' game against Columbia Basin College. Head coach Lindsey Linthicum said the team made a great effort in working together and communicating during the last two sets.
  

    Oaklee Woolsey from the Vikings prepares to go for a kill against Columbia Basin College. Woolsey made five kills during Friday's matchup.
  

    Vikings’ player Jah Chong sets the ball up for one of her teammates during Friday’s game. The Vikings are going to put an effort on increasing their overall speed moving forward, their coach said.
  

    Edyn Marlatt from the Vikings prepares to serve the ball during the second set against Columbia Basin College.