Hawks topple Lady Vikings

MOSES LAKE - The Big Bend Lady Vikings volleyball team rallied from an early 1-0 deficit but ran out of steam late as they fell in four games to the visiting Columbia Basin Hawks Wednesday night.

Wednesday night was sophomore night for Big Bend as sophomores Rae Smith, Jhenesis Garza, Ali Walen, Natalie Lindley and Taisha Haines would suit up for the Big Bend volleyball team for the final time.

With the emotions flying high, the Lady Vikings stumbled in the first game of the match, falling to the Hawks 25-13.

After the match Big Bend head coach Mike De Hoog said the first game did not go his team's way.

"Game one was pretty frustrating," he said.

Columbia Basin would take an early lead in the second game of the night before the Lady Vikings would tie the game 7-7.

Both teams refused to give an inch midway through the game as they played to 9-9, 10-10 and finally 12-12.

With the teams knotted at 12-12, the Lady Vikings played to a 2-point advantage at 14-12.

Columbia Basin would respond and ultimately take a 19-15 lead over Big Bend.

With game two nearing it's conclusion, De Hoog called a timeout with his team trailing 21-17.

Following an intense huddle, the Lady Vikings and the Hawks exited the timeout and quickly exchanged points as Columbia Basin built a 22-18 lead.

With the second game of the match on the line, the Lady Vikings rallied and outscored the Hawks 7-0 to close out the game 25-22 and earn the victory.

Big Bend executed their game plan in the second game, De Hoog said.

"We got more aggressive," he said. "Instead of reacting we put the pressure on them."

The Lady Vikings began the third game much like they ended the second game, with a rally.

Big Bend jumped out to an early 7-2 lead and looked as if they would run away with game three.

However, Columbia Basin would not be denied as the Hawks recovered to close the gap at 11-9.

The Lady Vikings would continue to distance themselves from the Hawks and battled for a 17-11 lead halfway through game three.

Big Bend could not close out the match as the Hawks would rally to tie the game at 17-17 before finally taking the lead at 19-18.

Big Bend would never recover as the Hawks soared to a 25-22 victory and a 2-1 match lead.

De Hoog said his team failed to put pressure on the Hawks late in game three.

"We gave them some easy balls," he said. "If we didn't attack at them, the would put the heat on us."

With their Big Bend careers on the line, sophomores Smith, Garza, Walen, Lindley and Haines helped the Lady Vikings battle back in game four.

Columbia Basin would fly out to an early lead in before Big Bend closed the gap at 7-6.

The Hawks would continuously attempt to distance themselves from Big Bend but the Lady Vikings would not quit.

With Columbia Basin leading 14-11, Big Bend rallied, tying the match at 14-14.

Columbia Basin would try to rebuild their lead, but the Lady Vikings were too much for them as Big Bend built an 18-15 advantage.

The Hawks would close in on Big Bend at 22-20, but the Lady Vikings would pull away at 24-20.

With the Lady Vikings serving for game point and an opportunity to send the match to a fifth and deciding game, Big Bend stumbled.

Columbia Basin freshman Kim Jimenez and the Hawks would stand strong as Jiminez led her team to a 6-0 rally from the service line.

In the end, Big Bend would fall 26-24 in game four and lose the match 3-1.

After the match De Hoog was disappointed in the outcome but inspired by his team's effort.

"Some little things cost us," he said. "We were close all year. (These girls) are a great group of kids. I am going to miss everyone of them."

With the crowd emptying from the DeVries Activity Center on Big Bend's campus, sophomores Walen and Haines embraced with eyes watering.

While they didn't conclude their Big Bend careers as they had wanted, they were proud of their team's efforts.

"The first game was shaky," Haines said. "The last three games we came together. We knew we gave it our all. We played every point like it was our last."

Walen agreed with Haines.

"(This match) was by far the (most fun)," she said. "We never took a point for granted."

With her volleyball experience at Big Bend over, Walen said she will always remember her teammates.

"We definitely will have a ton of friendships," She said. "I am really sad that it's over."