The Siuslaw Vikings volleyball team finished the first half of the Far West League season Tuesday with a share of first place.

The second half of the season starts Thursday in Tri City as the Vikings visit South Umpqua.

Tuesday, the North Bend Bulldogs grabbed a share of the league lead with a 3-1 victory over the Vikings in North Bend. The Bulldogs won 25-22, 25-23, 25-27, 25-21.

Siuslaw and North Bend are both 4-1 in league, a game up on 3-2 Douglas and two games up on 2-3 Marshfield and South Umpqua.

"We played probably our worst match of the season," Siuslaw coach Jon Hornung said. "North Bend stepped up, and we gave them the match."

Makenzie York had 10 kills, Elyssa Rose 9 and Brittany Long 5 for the Vikings. Jordan Long had 7 aces.

"Our defense was scattered and our communication was terrible," Hornung said. "Our blocking and hitting was spotty but okay."

After spotting the Bulldogs two sets, the Vikings avoided a sweep with a spirited victory in the third set, and seemed poised for yet another comeback this season.

"Our serve receive was functional, but we struggled getting good passes to (setter) Abby (Watkins) in the first two sets," Hornung said. "Brittany (Long) took over setting in the third set and provided a spark that allowed us to win that game."

The scenario was a familiar one for the Vikings, who had won three of four league matches after spotting the opposition a 2-1 lead. But the rally ended in the fourth set.

"We started strong in the fourth set," Hornung said, "but our defense let us down near the end.

"We gave up a handful of points that we should have won."

Now it's on to the second half of league play, which features three of the five matches on the road, including trips to South Umpqua and Douglas.

The two home matches will be against the big bay area schools, Marshfield and North Bend.

Saturday, the Vikings will play in the North Marion Fall Classic in Aurora.

Siuslaw then resumes second-half play Tuesday, hosting Marshfield. The Pirates lost to the Vikings in five sets after leading 2-0.

The Vikings finish regular-season play with matches at Brookings-Harbor on Oct. 6, at Douglas on Oct. 13, at home against North Bend on Oct. 13 and at the Marshfield Tournament on Oct. 15.