This was an important match for Callie Kruska and Bend High, not only because of the win-or-go-home weight the Class 5A play-in contest carried but because no matter the outcome, it was the final home matchup of the season.

And the Lava Bears were determined to go out victorious.

After battling back from a 20-18 deficit to take the first set, Bend High took control of the next two games to sweep Parkrose 25-21, 25-9, 25-20 in a Class 5A volleyball play-in contest.

The Lava Bears called a timeout when they fell behind the Broncos from Portland 19-17 in the opening set. Once Bend returned to the floor, it quickly picked up speed, using a 7-1 run to close out and win the opening frame.

“The very first game, when we were down, I got a little nervous,” said the Bears’ Cassidy Wheeler, whose team entered the night No. 13 in 5A. “But as a team we came together and fought, and we pulled it off, which was awesome.”

Kruska led the Lava Bears with 14 kills and five blocks, Alicia Todd was close behind with 13 kills to go along with 15 digs and one ace.

Cassidy Wheeler racked up 10 kills, 11 digs and one ace, and Lexi Ostrander helped out with 31 assists and 12 digs.

“We came together and celebrated every point like it was a championship game,” Kruska said. “We really had the urgency to put those balls away. We respected our opponent and treated it like any other game. I think that’s why we came out with the win.”

Parkrose’s Dominique Vance had three kills, Katie Saephanh racked up a total of two kills and Briana Dace tallied one kill and one block.

“I thought we played well against a really good opponent,” Parkrose coach Brian Davis said. “We have a team that has a tough time dealing with adversity, so we have a lot of ups and downs. They were difficult for us to manage.”

According to Kruska, Bend came into the matchup with high hopes and were humbled by the defense of 20th-ranked Parkrose of the Northwest Oregon Conference,

“I think in the first game we came out with a little bit of cockiness almost,” Kruska said. “We changed that in the second game. We really respected our opponent and knew they were a really scrappy team. So we started to focus on our side of the court.”

The Lava Bears’ momentum continued into the second set. By the time Davis called Parkrose’s second timeout, the Broncos had fallen into a 20-8 hole before falling 25-9.

Wheeler said the intensity of the second set carried into the third to give the Lava Bears a quick win.

“I think after the first game, we saw that we were down and came back up,” Wheeler said. “That gave us the momentum to fight in that second game and we just killed it.”

Bend High coach Kristin Cooper said her squad was slow to adjust to the Broncos’ defense, but the Bears adjusted and responded.

“I think the girls found ways to put the ball away better in the second game,” Cooper said. “In the first game we had some misses. I have to credit Parkrose’s defense. So we made a goal to put the ball away in the first one or two touches.”

Heading into the 5A state playoffs, beginning with a first-round contest on Saturday, Kruska said the Lava Bears need to work on maintaining a consistent momentum throughout the game.

“In the next few days I think we need to work on keeping our sense of urgency,” Kruska said. “Instead of playing as individuals, play as a team the whole game.”