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The coed volleyball team (3–0) outlasted the Wootton Patriots Thursday, emerging victorious in a back-and-forth thriller.

The team asserted themselves immediately when the game began, and they took the first set 25–21 with accurate serving and well coordinated plays.

The Patriots adjusted quickly to the Vikes’ game, positioning themselves well for blocks and letting more hits go long. The new strategy shook the Vikings off their game and the Patriots won the second set 25–22.

The team recovered, coming together defensively and counteracting the repetitive strikes of the Patriots hitters.

“In practice, we worked on some of our defensive things like mechanical errors, not going to the right position, and not rotating,” coach Jessica Warner said. “We actually did what we practiced [in the game] which is really good.”

Fueled by their enthusiasm, the Vikes captured the third set 25–17, but they proceeded to commit multiple fouls in the fourth set, which they eventually lost 25–20.

The fifth and deciding set was deadlocked until the very end, when the Vikes pulled ahead 15–13. Although the game was trying, the team’s energy never waned.

“Being aggressive defensively and offensively at the end of the game and [players] focusing on where they are supposed to be made the difference,” Warner said.

The squad plays away at Walter Johnson on Monday at 7:15.