Though a net separated them on Tuesday evening, the Echo Cougars and Helix Grizzlies entered their volleyball match united in the pursuit of their first conference win.

The similarities didnt delve much deeper, though. Echos experienced squad and a Grizzlies unit that started five freshmen showed their differences before the first serve even left the hands of Echos Naomi Sherbahn.

As the referees sorted out the final details before getting the game started, Echo broke into clusters of players that looked more ready for cheerleading practice as the girls danced to music playing over the gym sound system. Helix stood in position, taking it in, reluctant to break their game faces.

On cue, Echos first serve went into the net.

Serving issues bit both teams throughout the match, but the Cougars finally settled in and focused, leaving little room for suspense in wins of 25-16, 25-17 and 25-25.

Its hard to get them to stay serious or focused for any length of time, said Echo coach Janice Scott. It keeps them loose a little bit, and they have a little bit of fun, but it also breaks down on the consistency which we lack.

They came through, they focused a little bit when they needed to a little late but they pulled it out when they needed to.

Sherbahn said her teams just enjoying their time together.

Were very close, weve been playing since we were younger,?she said. We try not to focus on past losses and just focus on each game one at a time.

Helix coach Tammie Parker said her teams problem was taking the match too seriously.

We just seem to wait until were really down to relax and thats when we start to play,?Parker said. We cant wait until were way behind to relax, weve got to come out and play at the beginning.

The Grizzlies (1-9, 0-2 BSC)?fell behind 14-8, 15-11 and 19-9 before making their final comeback attempts in each set. A?serve-receive that struggled to post above a 50 percent success rate held them back, though.

The Cougars (1-5, 1-1 BSC)?had their own skid to snap after opening the season with five losses. Captain Hayden Tarvin said despite getting that weight off their backs, the girls didnt feel good about how they played on Tuesday.

We dont play to our full potential when we play teams that have lower skills than we do,?she assessed. Being our first win it is somewhat of a relief but I?think we could have done a lot better.

We need to get more mentally tough in times like this. With (Condon/Wheeler) and Dufur, those teams are going to be really tough for us. We really need to step it up if were going to achieve anything this year.

The Cougars did see bright moments from every player on the court, though, and had six players record aces and/or kills. Tarvin had five fills and three aces, Elizabeth McCarty had four kills, Bailey Srofe added four aces and two kills, Ashley Chandler pitched in four aces and a kill, Sherbahn had four aces and five assists, and Eme Denning and Evangalyn Marcum had five aces and two kills between them.

I?hope they realize what they can do and what they can come together as a team and do,?Scott said. Hopefully this will do it.

Helixs next two matches will be non-conference as they take on Stanfield and Irrigon on Thursday in a double duel in Irrigon that starts at 5 p.m.

Echo also takes a break from the Big Sky to host Riverside on Thursday at 5 p.m.