Lady Vikings Fall in Five-Set Thriller to Blue Mountain in Conference Opener

The Big Bend Community College Lady Vikings opened their NWAC East conference schedule Friday night at the DeVries Activity Center, hosting the Blue Mountain Timberwolves in what turned into a true back-and-forth battle. In a five-set marathon, the Lady Vikes came up just short, dropping their home opener 3-2 in front of an energetic Moses Lake crowd.

The Timberwolves struck first, edging out the opening set 25-21. Big Bend responded with grit and composure, pulling out two straight nail-biters by scores of 27-25 and 25-23. With momentum on their side and a chance to close out the match, the Lady Vikes pushed Blue Mountain to the brink in set four, but costly errors and missed serves proved decisive as the Timberwolves forced a fifth with a 27-25 win.

The decisive set carried the same drama as the previous four. Both sides traded points, neither able to pull away until the final moments. Blue Mountain held on for a 15-13 victory, sealing the match and handing Big Bend a narrow loss despite a spirited performance.

While the result didn't favor the Lady Vikes, the match showed signs of growth for the young squad. The connection between setters and hitters looked sharper than in previous contests, creating more consistent offensive opportunities. However, stretches where Blue Mountain jumped ahead by five or six points forced Big Bend to play from behind too often. Nerves also showed early, but the Vikings settled in and found their rhythm after the first set.

Libero Jah Chong was a standout defensively and behind the service line. Chong tallied 15 digs, three aces, and a serve-receive rating of 2.3, while her overall passing averaged an impressive 2.8. She also contributed with a .250 hitting percentage, showcasing her versatility.

Freshman middle blocker Charley Utley continued to emerge as a force in the front row. She recorded 11 kills, one solo block, and one block assist, showing steady improvement at a position she is still learning. Her development has been a bright spot for the Lady Vikes this season.

Big Bend's setters played with more command, distributing the ball effectively and helping the offense find its rhythm. However, missed serves and difficulties maintaining large leads—particularly in sets two and four—ultimately swung the match in Blue Mountain's favor.

Despite the narrow loss, the Lady Vikes gained valuable experience in their conference opener. The coaching staff pointed to serving accuracy and stronger execution in the middle as key areas for improvement. The intensity of this match sets the tone for conference play, and Big Bend is eager for the rematch against Blue Mountain later in the season.

"This was an incredible game," the staff said. "Even though we lost in five, every point and each set was intense and a great game to watch. We'll keep building, keep improving, and get ready for the next challenge."