MOSES LAKE — The Big Bend Community College Vikings volleyball team is having a successful preseason as they have worked and grown together through practice and some early season matches. With regular season fast approaching, the team is feeling excited to put their training to the test. 

“We’re feeling good,” said Lindsey Linthicum, the Vikings Head Coach. “We’ve had some little bumps in the road, we played Northwest University on (Aug. 26) and Whitworth University (Aug. 27) and they are both higher teams, but it was a great experience for the girls.” 

BBCC finished last season 5-21 with Linthicum in her first season as head coach and a full roster of freshmen. This year, despite having some injuries in preseason, the team is returning with experience.

“A couple injuries right now, but I think that’s the blessing in disguise of preseason,” said the coach. “Get those out of the way so that we’re healthy and ready to go for the main season.” 

The Vikings are returning four sophomores from last season, Haedynn Plum, Jah Chong, Oaklee Woosley and Jaeda Gonzalez with Savannah Golovanov joining the squad this season. The Vikings are also adding nine freshmen to the roster this year. 

“I think these sophomores are doing just an excellent job bringing these girls in and letting them know we’re here together,” Linthicum said.  

Jah Chong said she is entering this season with confidence. Last year she was still struggling with underlying issues from an injury sustained to her ACL a few years back but is feeling physically ready for this season. 

“I feel really hyped for the season, I want to go further than last year,” said Chong. “It does feel different, new girls and new connections, but I just feel really confident going into the new season.” 

With a majority of the players being freshmen, Chong said she is ready for her and her fellow sophomores to step into that leadership role and help develop her new teammates. 

One thing she said that has been an important aspect of the game that was learned in the past year is the aspect of having each other’s backs no matter what.  

“On the court I have your back and that’s just a new standard that I want to hold to myself,” said Chong. “Just getting over whatever issues we’re going through and leaving it on the court.” 

One of the key lessons that Linthicum said Chong and the other returners are bringing into this season is the mindset that every day is a new leaf.  

“Every day is a new start, every day is a new go and just taking whatever’s given to you and having the most of it,” said the coach. 

As the season progresses, Chong has made her personal goal to be selected for either second or first team in the Northwest Athletic Conference after previously making third team. With her teammates, she has the goal in mind to help push everyone to make the most of every win this season. 

“I think bringing up every win, that really builds into our success,” said Chong. “We can’t just say we’re going to take NWACs, it starts off with day one.” 

Entering her 12th season of playing volleyball, Chong said she is most excited about building up her bonds with the Vikings team this year.  

“I’m soaking it up this last year, especially with preseason and getting to know all these new girls,” she said. “Volleyball is literally my love language, it’s been part of my family, my mom and my sisters, they all went to college and played volleyball too. That’s one thing I’m looking forward to is just building a family through this sport and these are going to be lifelong friendships.” 

Linthicum said the overall energy on the team is upbeat and positive for the start of the season as they continue to work hard through preseason matchups and practices. As they await the start of the regular season, the coach has her players focused on the basics of the sport while also strengthening their overall confidence. 

“I think that, in and of itself, plays over into the actual games along with really dialing down rotation,” she said. “I even tell my girls, ‘It’s going to feel monotonous, but this is how then it works in a game when we can process it out like that.’” 

With Linthicum entering her second season as head coach, she is excited to see her players experience consistent growth over the course of this fall. After seeing their abilities on display against Northwest and Whitworth, she is confident in her players to adapt to any challenge this season. 

“I am just looking forward to see how these girls are going to go into each game and shake the system,” said Linthicum. 

The Vikings start their regular season on the road as they face Whitman at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Big Bend then returns home for a double header against Highline Friday with the first game starting at 11 a.m.  

BBCC will also be hosting an alumni game Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. Linthicum said any Vikings alumni interested in playing can reach out to her at [email protected].

    Raely Armour, a freshman for BBCC, works on her hitting stance at practice in the late summer.
  

    BBCC sophomore Savannah Golovanov gets closer to the net as she tracks the ball in practice.
  

    Jaeda Gonzalez, a sophomore for the Vikings, leans in to hit the ball over the net during morning practice.
  

    Big Bend sophomore Oaklee Woosley leaps up to spike the ball on the other side of the court during a practice drill.
  

    Liana Sushik, a freshman at BBCC, prepares to slam the ball over the net at practice during the preseason.