Coming off a decisive home floor win against Modesto, the Vikings struggled on the road, losing a tough road match against American River. On Wednesday October 17, the Vikings returned to their friendly confines to host yet another tough Big 8 rival, the Consumes River Hawks.
“They’re a scrappy team.” Head Coach Jackie Ponciano-Babb said of the Consumes squad, with obvious respect for the Hawk’s tough front-court, led by Marquesa Harris and Rose Koloamatangi. Ponciano-Babb set out to “Dictate our play.”
Dictate the Vikings certainly did. The first set was fiercely contested on both sides, the Hawks taking control of momentum early by establishing a lead. Just as the momentum began to run away to the visitors’ side of the net, where the Hawks met in joint celebration after each scoring play, Abbie Noland made her presence felt in a big way to irrevocably turn the momentum. Lindsay Wood also played a pivotal role at the net, winning jousts against Consumes’ star blockers as the momentum began to swing. Though the set was competitive throughout, Noland’s service overpowered the Hawks, resulting in a final score of DVC- 25, Consumes River- 20.
In the second set, it was Lindsay Wood who led the charge early, quickly driving the wind out from under the Hawks’ collective wings, making sure that nothing was easy at the net. Despite her effort, the Hawks rallied back, scoring five unanswered kills on a long service. When the Vikings won back service, Abbie Noland slammed the door from the back court scoring on her serve, time and again. DVC- 25, Consumes River- 13.
Coach Ponciano-Babb praised Noland’s consistency serving the ball, giving credit to her ability to read opposing defenses. Noland credited her team’s blocking after the win, saying that the Vikings “Did well with our chances.”
Noland came out strong from the strong side of the floor at the start of the third set, to the delight of the home crowd. There was no let down from the Hawks, who fought hard until the final horn sounded. A service rally from Sandra Foster proved to be too much for the Hawks, who got caught out of position a few times, shifting coverage to Noland’s side. DCV- 25, Consumes River- 17.
“We wanted to be able to dominate.” Ponciano-Babb said of the team’s goals going into a divisional game. “We’re always looking to dominate.”
The win over Consumes River was dominant enough to move Diablo Valley up in the Big 8 rankings this week. They will be playing at home again on October 24, against Santa Rosa, a team already owning a home win against the Vikings. Perhaps the Vikings can carry some of that dominant home floor momentum onward to their next contest.