MOSES LAKE — For Big Bend Community College sophomore and Ephrata native Jaeda Gonzalez, the work never ceased in the offseason as she prepares to return to volleyball and softball for the Vikings. With a strong athletic career behind her and a year of collegiate experience, the sophomore has her eyes set on improving alongside the BBCC programs. 

“As a team, we definitely want a winning season and also fun to watch,” said Gonzelez. “We want be fun to watch for everyone else and show that we can bring it.” 

Her athletic career began at home as she grew up in a family that has a strong passion for sports. Gonzalez said her early years of competing were on the pitch in soccer, the hardwood of basketball and the softball diamond.  

In her freshman year at Ephrata High School, Gonzalez decided to make the switch and got involved with the high school volleyball team. The volleyball coaching staff is what ultimately made her fall in love with the sport, she said. 

Softball on the other hand is a sport she was already familiar with when she reached the high school level and made the junior varsity and varsity teams early in her time as a Tiger. After four seasons of EHS softball, Gonzalez closed out her time as a Tiger with the team earning third in districts and making a run in the state tournament.  

“I had ups and downs, but it was still I liked the sport, I have to keep playing and I have to just keep pushing through,” she said.  

Her time at Ephrata really helped her as she got ready to take the next step to pursue an athletic career at BBCC, she said. 

“Ephrata just sports wise have really good coaches,” said Gonzalez. “They’re always there for you, and I think that everything together and especially coming to a program where we have to rebuild and get up and try to get good. I was determined to help with the program.” 

Her decision to play volleyball and softball for the Vikings came from the culture she saw from the programs. She said the players and coaches all have dedication and showed initiative that they want to be competitive and have fun. 

Both Vikings’ volleyball and softball programs were seeing a fresh start when Gonzalez joined the roster for the 2025/26 season. The teams were welcoming new head coaches alongside two young and freshman heavy rosters. 

While helping build up the programs last season, they had some challenges. The teams already showed significant growth from the beginning to end of the respective seasons, Gonzalez said. 

“By the end I feel like we did super good things,” she said. “We played good teams and we still came out on top, so it was just improvement by small steps.” 

While adjusting to the higher level of competition at the collegiate level was a challenge that had to be overcome, creating bonds with her teammates throughout last season was something that she felt was the biggest improvement toward both programs’ success moving forward. 

Vikings Volleyball Head Coach Lindsey Linthicum said Gonzalez brought great knowledge of volleyball onto the court last season, which helped the team grow. Something that really stuck out was her ability to bring the team together. 

“She has such a huge heart for the people that she plays for and no matter the circumstance or the situation, she is consistently and constantly just bringing these girls together,” said Linthicum. “Always having them come in and find that reason and go back to that why we are here.” 

This heart she has for her teammates extended into softball as well. Vikings Softball Head Coach and Assistant Volleyball Coach Kaitlyn Rizo said Gonzalez helped lead the charge for BBCC in practice and during training throughout the spring. 

“When we first had the practice, and I actually got to work with all the girls, Jaeda had volleyball too, but she was putting in extra time during volleyball and softball to be that person for our team in the spring,” said Rizo. “When I got to see her play, I just could tell this kid has a love for the game like no other.” 

Linthicum said as Gonzalez became more accustomed to playing alongside her fellow Vikings, her personality began to come out along with her mental fortitude. Along with this, she has shown consistent development each passing day with the program. 

On the softball side of things, Rizo said Gonzalez has been a great asset to the growth of their program during the 2026 season. Each day Gonzalez would come into practice with a positive attitude and ready to not only give her all, but also help push those around her to want to do the same. 

“She was the person in the weight room that was really holding everyone accountable,” she said. “I mean, she was bench pressing teammates and it was actually pretty cool to see.” 

Her dedication toward improvement has continued through the offseason as Gonzalez gets ready for her sophomore season as a Viking. Her experiences from competing as a freshman have helped her understand what she needs to work toward this season. 

“I think I really needed to prepare myself mentally,” said Gonzalez. “Losing games is never fun, but even if we lose this year, I still want to have fun. I just want to have a stronger mentality, so I really did work on that more than I did physically.” 

This mentality is something that will be important to display as she enters this season as a leader on the teams for the incoming freshmen. She said displaying this strong mentality in early season summer work outs, as they get closer to official practice days and once the season starts will hopefully instill this dedication into her new teammates. 

As the volleyball season approaches, both Linthicum and Rizo said they are excited to see what Gonzalez will accomplish in her sophomore season.  

“She’s just so fun to watch,” said Linthicum. “For the people who want to come watch our games this season, definitely keep your eyes out for Jaeda Gonzalez because that girl, off the court and on the court, she just brings this energy that you want to get up out of your seat and cheer.” 

Gonzalez said one of the most important ways she can help push these programs forward is by utilizing her personality both in and out of competition. 

“Just be myself on the court,” said Gonzalez. “I’m a very outgoing and loud person, and I think being that excited and always-up person is going to help everyone else say, ‘Oh yeah, it’s okay to have fun, it’s okay to be funny.’” 

    Both Vikings Volleyball Coach Lindsey Linthicum and Vikings Softball Coach Kaitlyn Rizo said Jaeda Gonzalez has been a strong and uplifting member for the Vikings program. This was literally shown as she benched her softball teammate Taya Riner.
  

    During the 2026 softball season, Jaeda Gonzalez stands ready at first base to get an out against her opponent.