PENDLETON – Walla Walla made things happen when it needed to most and pulled out a five-game victory over Blue Mountain Community College 25-30, 30-24, 30-25, 20-30, 17-15 in NWAACC volleyball action Wednesday.

The fifth game saw the Warriors take a 13-7 lead only to watch the Timberwolves charge back to grab a 14-13 advantage. Walla Walla dug in and came back to win the deciding game.

“We had it under control and gave Blue Mountain an inch and they took a mile and about came back and grabbed that thing,” Warriors coach Tim Toon said of the fifth game.

“Maturity-wise I think both teams are about the same level. Both teams are spurting, five, six points in a row and playing lousy ball for five or six points and we were fortunate enough to be spurting at the end to get to 17 when they were at 15.”

The Timberwolves looked sharp in the first game, but dug themselves big holes in the second and third games. They were able to come back and make the games close, but couldn’t prevent the Warriors from adding them to the victory column.

“I think we need to start a little bit faster and play with more a decisive attitude,” Timberwolves coach Terry Thomas said. “I think it’s hard to get in a rhythm when you’re playing passive like that. I think a more aggressive attitude is going to get our offense going a little better.”

With their backs against the wall, the Timberwolves came through with their best game of the evening.

“I thought in the fourth game our blocking was phenomenal,” Thomas said. “It’s still early in the season and I’m tweaking lineups. I think that it worked out well to put some of the bigger kids in there and put up a tough block.”

The fifth game saw the Timberwolves’ comeback fall just short, to the relief of Toon and the large number of Walla Walla fans that made the trip to Pendleton.

“I feel fortunate and glad to win the match,” Toon said. “I felt we played well enough to win it, but I thought Blue Mountain played well enough also to take it.”

Toon, in his ninth year as the Warrior coach, has seen plenty of Timberwolves’ teams and believes this year’s version is much tougher than in years past, particularly with its added height.

“I think some teams in the NWAACC are going to come down here and get busted up by Blue Mountain,” he said. “I think they’re going to get some wins on this floor this year.”

Arlee Hoyt led the Timberwolves with 13 kills, three more than Renee Robertson and Tara Whittingham. Afton Gawith recorded 42 digs, with Robertson adding 39 and Alison Bobka led the team with nine solo blocks, 14 block assists and six aces.

The Timberwolves return to action Friday at 2 p.m. against Spokane.