DVC hosted and lost to Sacramento City College on Friday Sept. 18, concluding their sixth game of Big 8 league play and 11th game overall.

The Vikings, who are now 1-5 in the Big 8 and 3-8 overall, are still striving to find their pace of play. The game lasted the minimal amount of three sets, as the Vikings underwent their fourth straight-sets loss of the year.

“I think that we didn’t play to our fullest potential and we lacked communication in some aspects, but overall I think we kept up with them [Sac City]. We just needed to stay energized throughout the entire game,” said Kaitlyn Welsh, outside hitter. “We know what we are capable of doing and next time around there should be a different outcome.”

Team captain Lindsay Wood had 3 kills, 1 block, and a dig on the first set – with contributions made by Claire Hannigan, who had four kills, 12 digs, one block, and an ace on the match. Despite the battle, the Cougars would still go on to take the three sets, the first being 25-17.

The second set was taken by Sac City 25-13, but not before the Vikings pulled off several good plays that showcased how hard they have been working in practice.

“I passed the serve receive ball and then our middle, Amanda Jarquin, pulled their blocker to one side and Welsh went and hit a fast set and got a kill,” said Hannigan about a big play in the second set. “That was a good play because we had been working on pulling the block and faking them out.”

The third set and final whistle marked a 25-16 fall to the visiting Cougars. The Vikings put forth very energetic play in all sets, but are still working with young talent, and shaping that talent for next year’s team. And for only having two sophomores, DVC put forth a valiant effort.

“We were in a lot of long rallies but couldn’t finish out the play. Kelsey [Draper, team captain] actually kept us in tough plays against Sac City’s big outside. It was a tough game all around for us but we definitely know they are a beatable team and want the win next time we play against them,” Wood said.

Wood finished with eight kills, three blocks, and a dig on the game, followed by solid team contributions from all the starters. Welsh finished the game with eight kills, ten digs, one block, and an ace.

DVC’s next upcoming match will be against American River College on Oct. 23, at American River College, marking the seventh game of league play.