Big Bend downs CBC in four sets

MOSES LAKE - After dropping the first set to seventh place Columbia Basin, Big Bend volleyball rallied to win the next three sets to take the match 23-25, 25-21, 25-23, 25-22.

"Once they're (CBC) in system and get good passes, especially on defense in transition, they're able to put some good swings on the ball," head coach Steve Duncan said. "Keeping them to only taking that first game was big for us I thought."

The win gave the Vikings (4-3, 14-10) a winning record in the NWAC East region and moved the team into fourth place. The top four teams in the region advance to the NWAC Tournament.

The Hawks stunned the Vikings in the first set, opening the match on a 7-1 run. Big Bend was able to close the gap, but the surge by Columbia Basin was too much to overcome.

"We came back a little bit," Duncan said. "We made some good runs of our own, but we just weren't able to compensate for that initial run that they got on us."

However, Big Bend controlled the match from the second set on and its hitters attacked with serious efficiency.

The Vikings finished with a hitting percentage of .344, a season-high for region play. Whitney Southam, Jamie Miller, Brooke Bowers and Shania Bateman all hit over .300.

Bateman led with 14 kills, Southam had 11 and Bowers and Payton Clark both added 10 each.

"Once we got the ball on our side and we were able to control it, those times that CBC just kind of either free balled or gave us an easy shot, we were able to take care of the ball and that was huge for us," Duncan said.

McKenzi Lott had a team-high 22 assists, while Nichole Dally added 18.

Big Bend will begin its second run through the NWAC East Wednesday at Spokane.

"It's definitely going to be a dogfight for that fourth spot, but I think if we have the second half plays out similar to the first half then I think we'll be in good shape," Duncan said. "We'll be in a good position and honestly I don't think there is really one team that we can't take down."

Warden 3, Royal 0

ROYAL CITY - Warden won its second match in a row and sixth out of its last seven after sweeping Royal over the weekend 25-18, 25-11, 25-18.

The Cougars (5-1, 6-3) remain in second place in the Central Washington 2B South division behind White Swan.

"The team played well in a non-league contest with Royal," head coach Dennis Treat said. "Serving and serve receive were strong points for the Lady Cougars against Royal. The team served over 94 percent with 13 aces."

Allycia Gonzales led Warden with 8 kills, 11 digs and 1 ace. Selena Landeros did a little bit of everything with 2 kills, 4 digs, 6 blocks and 4 aces.

Setter Laurissa Kisler racked up 22 assists, 1 kill, 9 digs and 5 aces.