MOSES LAKE — The Big Bend Community College Vikings (4-7) lost at home to the Columbia Basin Hawks (11-8) Friday night. The matchup remained close throughout, but the Vikings fell 3-0. 

“We came off our Treasure Valley win (last) Wednesday pretty well set to go into our Columbia Basin game,” said Vikings Assistant Coach Kaitlyn Rizo. “It was just nice to see the girls compete and play to that level that CBC plays at.” 

The game was the closest in the first set as both the Vikings and the Hawks were competitive. After going back and forth throughout, Columbia Basin claimed the first set 25-23.

Once again, the two teams battled it out during the second set as both BBCC and CBC found opportunities to score. While the energy was close, the Hawks claimed the second set 25-20. 

Things remained close in the early half of the third set, but CBC gained momentum to take a lead over BBCC. The Vikings remained competitive but couldn’t close the gap in time with the set ending 25-16 in favor of the Hawks.  

“CBC ran a lot of clicks on us, and they have a lot of tall girls,” said Rizo. “That helps us prepare for Yakima because Yakima has some really tall girls and can be a little bit scrappy at the same time like CBC can.” 

She said Friday’s game showed the Vikings that they are capable of matching up well against the bigger teams. 

“Just because they have taller girls doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re going to block us every single time or get a kill on us every single time,” said the coach. “It was nice to see the way that our defense was moving, the way our hitters were communicating with our settings and just seeing the hitters put the ball away.” 

Kaylee Lindley had a strong performance Friday as she led BBCC with 11 kills, 11.5 points, for a season high in kills and exceeding her season average of 8.33 kills and added a block assist, according to a statement from BBCC Athletics. 

“She was able to put the ball away anytime she had the ball,” said Rizo. “That was super nice to see.” 

Arianna Williams added seven kills while hitting .235 and had a block assist, Paige Cochrane had 24 assists, eight digs, one service ace and a block assist. Haedynn Plum finished with a season-high 13 digs and Jah Chong added 10 digs and achieved two serve aces for the first time this season. 

Rizo said she and Head Coach Lindsey Linthicum often discuss how well their defense moves around and adjusts to the opposing team’s hitters and they also see their back row players constantly helping out their hitters. Both of these aspects of the game were on full display which led to their successes Friday. 

“It was just super cool to see their dynamic as team chemistry is getting better as we progress in the season,” said Rizo. 

In the days leading toward their next matchup against Yakima Valley, she said the team has been focused on improving their serve-receive and working out of system defense. The coaches want their players to be more comfortable with uncomfortable situations and always finding a way to get the ball to a teammate to put away. 

“We’re feeling really good,” said Rizo. “The girls were super excited (Tuesday) morning when we had practice and we know from last year that Yakima’s going to bring it. We know that we can play with them and I think it’s going to be a dog fight. I’m excited, I love playing against Yakima.” 

The Vikings remain home Wednesday to face Yakima Valley at 6 p.m. 

BOX SCORE 

CBSN: 25-25-25: 3 

BBCC: 23-20-16: 0 

    BBCC sophomore Haedynn Plum prepares for the oncoming serve while her teammate sophomore Jah Chong makes a call out Friday evening.
  

    Paige Cochrane, a freshman from Big Bend, prepares to serve Friday evening against CBC.
  

    Vikings freshman Jacee Otley gets ready to bump up the ball during Friday’s home game.
  

    Oaklee Woosley, a sophomore from BBCC, leaps up to hit the ball back over to the opposing Columbia Basin team.
  

    BBCC freshman Kelsey Koch gets ready to serve Friday with her teammates keeping up the energy from the sideline.