The Vikings came up short against the No. 1 team in the league, despite getting off to a winning start and battling through four hard-fought games.

In the end, it was a serious of unforced errors that cost South Tahoe the Division IA match to Dayton on the road Tuesday. The Vikings took the first game 25-21, but dropped the next 25-21, 25-22, 25-23.

Despite the loss, head coach Dan McLaughlin was impressed with how the girls played.

“It was very encouraging to see the kind of fight the Vikings put up because the Dust Devils are just so powerful,” McLaughlin said.

The Dust Devils strong outside hitter, who will be playing at Nevada next year, had a whale of a game, but South Tahoe’s defense was up for the challenge.

Senior libero, Jade Child, came away with 29 digs against the powerful Dust Devil hitters. Kaila Griffis added 14 digs, Kendhyl Delacour eight and Sierra Fulton nine.

Dayton, however, won the game with its sharp serves and serve receives.

The Vikings had nine aces while the Dust Devils delivered 11. South Tahoe also struggled finding its rhythm on serve receives and finding the setter’s box with consistency.

The two-ace disparity and inconsistent serve returns were the difference in the game.

“That does drop the Vikings to a little below 500 for the year, but it is very encouraging because the Dust Devils have yet to lose on the year,” McLaughlin said. “The Vikings have made it very clear that they’re a strong team, prepared to play with anybody.”

Offensively, Griffis led the Vikings with 12 kills and two aces. Delacour contributed eight kills and one ace. Raquel Marchasseault recorded three kills and three aces.

Hannah Neiger turned in an incredibly strong game with 11 touches on the block, three kills and two aces. Sam Sutterfield added five touches on the block and two kills. Fulton recorded three kills.

UP NEXT: The Vikings will play in Sparks Friday.