La Grande libero Avery Myer prepares for a Vale serve during La Grande’s non-league loss to the Vikings.

VALE — Slow starts to begin sets and service problems plagued La Grande as a trip to Vale resulted in a 3-0 nonleague loss on Tuesday, Sept. 12.

The Vikings jumped out early in the first set, placing the first five points on the board. The Vikings led the whole way with La Grande closing the gap to three points,16-13. Vale went on to a 25-16 victory.

The second set saw much the same as the Vikings leading early and the Tigers having to play from behind with Vale taking a 25-15 win. Early in the third set, La Grande showed spark, knotting up the set at eight points. The offense was unable to sustain the momentum and the Vikings closed out the match with a 25-11 third-set win.

In the loss, Kayle Collman served two aces, while serving at 100% for the night. Avery Meyer ended with 10 digs and Belle Neer led the offense with six kills. Aubrey Bisenius added three kills and Collman put up five kills.

“We again were trying different lineups tonight,” La Grande head coach Melinda Becker-Bisenius said. “We have been working on not getting down on ourselves and each other after a mistake and I saw that tonight. I like how the team played unselfishly and never gave up.”

La Grande (4-6 overall) could see the Vale team again as both squads are up early on Sept. 16 at the Sisters Tournament.