Western took the court in pink uniforms, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month on Thursday, Oct. 8 as they took on Concordia University.
Vikings volleyball team beat Concordia for the first time, 3-0.
After the first timeout, Concordia and Western traded points. Vikings had the advantage, but Concordia held Western to only 9 points. By the second timeout, Concordia had gained ground to make the score 19-13.
“I think we played a real solid performance,” head coach Diane Flick said. “I’m pleased with the way they kept coming back.”
Concordia’s efforts came too late, however, and Western won the first game 25-17.
Keeping momentum, Concordia maintained a close second game. Vikings managed to pull away with the win after the second time out, winning 25-17.
In the third and final game, redshirt freshman middle blocker Kayleigh Harper watched the net dutifully, as she had all night. Several of her blocks led to points for Western.
It was her kill for the 20th point, however, that got the crowd fired up.
The Vikings finished the final game 25-14, with Concordia unable to stop Western’s final rally.
“We have two great seniors and leaders in Rachel Roeder and Jennica McPherson,” she said. “But we’re great with our freshmen and sophomores that are starting.”
Going into the game, Flick had a few things she wanted to work on.
“We’ve been working on a lot of footwork issues in many different facets of the game,” Flick said. “I’m hoping that will pay some better dividends in tonight’s match.”
After the game, Flick and redshirt freshman middle blocker Michaela Hall said they were going to continue to work on footwork going forward.
“I really want to work on blocking, dropping my hand, just so I can get more blocks in,” Hall said. “I don’t think I got a solid block tonight.”
Redshirt freshman outside hitter Abby Phelps also said she wanted to continue working on her blocking footwork going into Saturday’s game.
Next, Vikings take on Western Oregon University at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10 at Whatcom Community College.
