Vikings victorious in home opener
Freshman Brooke Bowers (12) and sophomore McKall Miller (15) attempt to block a shot from Columbia Basin College's Grace Bouffiou (13) during Wednesday's match. The Vikings won in four games.
MOSES LAKE - After almost a month into the season, the Big Bend Community College Vikings volleyball team was finally able to play in front of a welcoming crowd.
The Vikings were able to beat the Columbia Basin College Hawks in four games (20-25, 25-23, 25-17, 25-23) securing the team's first winning streak of the season in the process.
"The girls were ready to play at home," head coach Allison Baker said. "I think they were excited and playing at home always helps with that."
Wednesday's win improves Big Bend's overall record to 7-11 and 2-1 in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges (NWAACC) East region. The Vikings are tied for the third place in the region with Spokane Community College.
In the deciding fourth game Big Bend let a large lead slip away and at one point trailed 22-20 before coming from behind and taking the match. Baker continued to push her team to be aggressive even when the lead was shrinking.
"The biggest thing is them still playing with confidence even when it gets into those tight situations," she said. "We still want them getting up and swinging not getting scared and tipping out of it. They need to believe in themselves and believe in their teammates to put the ball away and pick up everything on defense."
Big Bend used their superior size on the front line to stymie CBC's attack with 12 team blocks and 77 digs.
Offensively, sophomore outside hitter Katie Reeder led the way for the Vikings with 11 kills while freshman middle blocker Brooke Bowers added seven kills. Sophomore setter McKall Miller facilitated the Viking attack accounting for 22 of Big Bend's 31 assists.
Big Bend is back on the road Friday to face a tough Walla Walla Community College team who is 13-6 overall and 2-0 in the region. The freshman laden Vikings will have to grow up quickly to keep their winning streak intact.
"As long as we come out with energy and put it all out there we'll be fine," Baker said. "Another big thing is we have eight freshmen and them coming out to play with confidence and knowing that they can win."
The Vikings return home Saturday Oct. 5 for a match against Treasure Valley Community College at 1 p.m.