BBCC swept by Walla Walla

MOSES LAKE - In its second to last home match of the season, Big Bend volleyball had a chance to score a crucial upset win against Walla Walla.

However, the Warriors' offense put constant pressure on the Vikings and Big Bend was swept 16-25, 23-25, 16-25.

Big Bend (4-5, 16-15) now has three straight road matches before returning home Nov. 7 to face Wenatchee Valley.

Head coach Steve Duncan isn't worried about an extended road swing in the midst of a playoff push.

"I was thinking about the numbers earlier and we're just as good on the road as we are at home," he said. "I don't think it makes a big difference for this team where they are. They need to come out and just play the game that they're capable of playing ... It was nice tonight, we had a good-sized crowd out come to support us but on the road we just have to show up and be ready to play. We do that, we'll be OK."

Big Bend hung with Walla Walla in the early stages of the first set, but with both teams tied at 7-all the Warriors went on a 6-0 run to jump ahead 13-7. A kill by sophomore outside hitter Shania Bateman eventually ended Warriors' flurry.

Walla Walla would continue to pull away and took the first set 25-16.

Hard, downward swings kept the Viking defense reeling.

"They're able to swing hard on almost every ball that they get and do good things with it," Duncan said. "I thought we actually did a pretty good job in defense of slowing the ball down in that second and third set. Slowing the ball down, back row making some good plays it's just our offense couldn't compete with their offense and that's what it came down to."

Big Bend was much more competitive in the second set and led 15-13 before Walla Walla came back to take a 20-19 lead. Another Bateman kill put the Vikings up 21-20, but Big Bend couldn't close Walla Walla out and the Warriors won the second set 25-23 and the third 25-16.