Vikings fall in straight sets against Yakima Valley

MOSES LAKE — The Big Bend Community College Vikings (4-8) had a tough matchup against the Yakima Valley Yaks (18-5) Wednesday evening. The Vikings had energy, but the Yaks had a strong showing on the court to win 3-0. 

“We started off strong; we came ready to battle, but we allowed our small errors to start to dictate how we approach the next point,” said Vikings Head Coach Lindsey Linthicum. 

The first set was tight as the Vikings built an early 9-4 lead over the Yaks. BBCC maintained their lead for most of the game until Yakima went on a hot streak to tie the game at 15-15. 

From there the Yaks claimed the lead and never looked back, winning the set 25-16. 

BBCC showed their strength in the beginning of the second set with a 3-0 lead, but the Yaks quickly responded to claim the lead. Both teams traded the lead a few times, but after tying at 7-7, Yakima once again went ahead. 

The Vikings kept the score close as they remained within two points of the Yaks halfway through the set, but Yakima hit their stride and created a wide point differential between the two teams. Big Bend stayed competitive but ultimately fell 25-11 in the second set. 

Big Bend worked to stay competitive in the third set with sparks showing early on to keep the score close. Yakima Valley soon found their stride to build a substantial lead midway through the set. BBCC worked to close the gap, but the Yaks didn’t slow down and claimed the third set 25-7. 

“We need to battle, and we need to keep battling and stop looking to the next person to fill in that mistake,” said Linthicum. “We need to take ownership better and then just put the gas pedal on, and we pulled off the gas pedal. That’s how the third set ends when you pull off the gas pedal.” 

Finding that motivation until the very last serve is something the team will need to work on as they move forward, the coach said. This change is something that will have to come from deep within her players as they develop themselves in the next coming days. 

“A coach can push you, and a coach can do the drills and do the skill building and everything, but then it actually has to come in from them,” she said. “They have to put the effort in to actually have the success.” 

Wednesday’s game showed the Vikings a lot of areas they will need to work on as they strive for success deep in the season, said Linthicum. At the same time, she also highlighted some positives that have come from the last few home games. 

One thing the coach said was very apparent was the fact that Big Bend’s blocking game has improved in the past few matchups. The Vikings have been utilizing their younger middles that have been able to adjust to teams that have fast setters. 

“It’s an adjustment, but they’ve done a great job at learning to be quicker, staying loaded at the net, staying ready, watching the ball like you’re a cat on a laser,” said Linthicum. 

Serve-receive has also seen improvements on the communication side, and the coach said this will be something they continue to develop. 

A very visible difference between their game last Friday and Wednesday was the increase in vocal energy shown from the sideline against Yakima. This has been an ongoing topic of conversation for the team, and it was on full display during Wednesday’s matchup, said Linthicum. 

“If a team on the floor doesn’t feel that support on the sideline, it can dictate a lot for teams,” she said. “If you look at all sports, that camaraderie that’s saying, ‘Hey, I have your back’ on that sideline, those people are your back and your shoulders, and they help carry you through those hard times. It’s a family net; it’s a family system.” 

Big Bend will take the lessons from both last Friday and Wednesday’s games to build themselves up and get ready for the coming challenges in the next couple of weeks. 

“Reset, start fresh, start clean and start wanting to battle harder,” said Linthicum. 

The Vikings head on the road Friday to face Wenatchee Valley at 6 p.m. 

BOX SCORE 

YKVL: 25-25-25: 3 

BBCC: 16-11-7: 0

    Jacee Otley from BBCC dives down for the ball Wednesday evening against Yakima Valley.
  

    Big Bend’s Haedynn Plum gets low to recover a hit from Yakima Valley during Wednesday’s home game.
  

    Jah Chong from the Vikings steps up to serve during Wednesday’s game against the Yaks.

    Paige Cochrane from Big Bend sets the ball for her teammates to send back toward Yakima Valley.
  

  

    Vikings player Raely Armour goes in for the kill during the game against Yakima Valley Wednesday evening.