After winning six consecutive matches to start conference play, the Yakima Valley volleyball team was flying high coming into Friday's matchup with co-league-leading Treasure Valley. But a three-set sweep at the hands of the Chukars showed the Yaks how far they still need to go if they want to win the NWAC East crown.

The Yaks' offense struggled against a tough Treasure Valley front line, posting a kill percentage of just .045 in a 25-10, 25-21 25-18 defeat. Ava Swan posted a team-high nine kills, Patricia Hendrick had seven and Lauren Chamberlain had five. Hendrick and Swan added 11 and 10 digs, respectively, while Joleen Jaeger delivered 14 assists and 13 digs. Kamree Mills tied for the team lead with 13 digs and Ailianna Quaempts dished out 10 assists.

YVC looked much stronger Wednesday at home against Columbia Basin, posting a 30-28, 25-27, 28-26, 25-21 victory to win their seventh match in a row overall. Swan and Chamberlain led the offense again with 16 and 15 kills, respectively, while Hendrick chipped in eight. Sienna Black and Quaempts each threw down six kills and Jaeger offered up 38 assists as the Yaks posted a .151 kill percentage. Malia Wheeler added 13 assists and Mills led the defense with 31 digs. Jaeger also helped the cause with 14 digs, and Aubrey Tornow notched 10 digs in her return to the lineup after missing the past couple of weeks to injury.

The Yaks (6-1 NWAC East, 18-8 overall) face another tough test on Friday at home against third-place Spokane — a team they defeated in straight sets on Sept. 19 but lost to 3-1 in the preseason.