Lady Vikings test conference leaders, fall short
Photos by Neil Pierson/Columbia Basin HeraldBig Bend outside hitter Niki Forsberg goes up for a kill attempt as Columbia Basin College's Brianna Valencourt (15) and Clarissa Harston (14) defend in the first game of Wednesday's NWAAACC contest.
Big Bend needs strong finish to reach NWAACC postseason
MOSES LAKE - When you compare the records of the Big Bend Vikings and the Columbia Basin Hawks, there's little suspense in knowing Columbia Basin left DeVries Activity Center on Wednesday night with a three-game sweep.
But the manner in which the Vikings played was a bit of a surprise. After a train wreck of a start, Big Bend hung tough with the undefeated Hawks and could've easily won both of the final two games. But Columbia Basin, the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges' East Division leader, won the crucial points and earned a 30-15, 30-26, 30-28 win.
Big Bend head coach Michael De Hoog said Wednesday's result backs up a point he's been trying to make all season - the Vikings can beat anyone when they're on their game.
"I'm pretty pleased with how we played, especially after the loss against Wenatchee," De Hoog said. "I didn't know really how the girls were going to react after losing that one, because that's one we let get away."
Big Bend had a two-games-to-one lead over Wenatchee Valley last Friday, but lost in five games in what could prove to be a crucial match for the division's fourth and final seed to the NWAACC Championships next month.
The Vikings might've had a hangover from that loss in game one, passing and receiving poorly as the Hawks (26-0 overall, 10-0 East) broke free from a 5-5 tie by winning 15 of the next 19 points.
Big Bend (8-19, 2-8) picked things up in both categories immediately, building a five-point lead in game two behind the hitting of Kaitie Poston and Niki Forsberg. CBC, fueled by the serving of Kristina Gonzales, took a 15-14 lead, but the Vikings answered and looked to have a semi-comfortable 24-20 edge.
It didn't last. Heather Guenther served five straight points for CBC, which won 10 of the game's final 12 points.
Neither side gained much of an advantage in game three. Rae Smith's kill gave Big Bend its last lead at 26-25 and a hitting error tied it at 28-all before Ali Walen and Forsberg missed with a pair of kill attempts that ended the match.
The Vikings also benefited from the return of freshman middle blocker Natalie Lindley, who came onto the court late in the third game. Lindley has missed the better part of a month with an ankle injury, and De Hoog said he's trying to use her sparingly until she's 100 percent.
"She's still not where she needs to be," De Hoog said of Lindley. "She's pretty stubborn. She's telling me she's OK, but I know better. That's just because she wants to be in there."
Poston had a solid outing, leading all players with 13 kills and a .360 hitting percentage. Forsberg and Walen each had six kills. Laura Tinnell distributed 26 assists, and three players - Jhenesis Garza, Malorie Clark and Walen - were in double digits with digs.
Guenther had a match-high 17 digs, with Miranda Weitz (11 kills) and Carly Ross (10 kills) leading the Hawks' offense.
Against Wenatchee Valley, Big Bend was defeated 21-30, 30-25, 28-30, 30-26 and 15-10. Tinnell had 56 assists as four Vikings picked up double-digit kills: Walen and Clark tied for the match-high with 17 apiece, Poston had 14 and Forsberg 10.
Walen (32 digs, three blocks) and Clark (21 digs) led Big Bend's defensive effort. Walen and Smith each served three aces.
Big Bend came into Wednesday trailing Treasure Valley by 2 1/2 games for the East's No. 4 playoff spot. If the Vikings intend to catch them, they'll need some help and some wins on their upcoming three-game road trip. Friday's contest at Treasure Valley, a 5 p.m. Pacific start, will be crucial.
"We need to take care of business on our side," De Hoog said. "We're capable of playing with every team. I just hope the girls realize all we have to do is go out and grab a win by snatching it and putting it in our pocket."
Playing tough with division and conference leader CBC should inspire the Vikings, who are trying to get it into their heads that physical gifts aren't always what wins at the college level.
"We're trying to work on the psychological aspects, the mental aspects, because that is what's been costing us," De Hoog added. "We're physically talented enough, but at this level everyone's pretty evenly matched. It's who's mentally tougher."