Box Score
Augustana rallied from a 2-1 deficit to edge Nebraska-Omaha in a 5-set thriller Wednesday night in Omaha, Neb. Set scores were 20-25, 26-24, 20-25, 25-20, 18-16.
The 22nd-ranked Vikings improved to 16-6 with their sixth-straight victory, while Nebraska-Omaha slipped to 9-11.
Kati Newgard pounded a career-high 20 kills to spark the Augustana attack. The senior provided the offensive firepower late in the fourth set to force the deciding set. With Augustana clinging to a 17-16 lead, Newgard recorded 6 kills to help Augustana close out the set with an 8-4 run.
The fifth set went back and forth, featuring 10 ties and 6 lead changes. Each team staved off a match point. Augustana led 14-13 and 15-14 but each time UNO's Kayla Uhing answered with a kill. The Mavericks then took a 16-15 lead, but
Cayla Schroeder pounded a kill to tie the score at 16-16.
Schroeder gave Augustana a third match point with a service ace. Then
Beth Talcott and
Ellen Andrews blocked UNO's Lizzy Mach to end the match, which lasted 2 hours and 2 minutes.
For the match, Augustana outhit UNO. The Vikings hit .211 in the match compared to .169 for the Mavericks. Augie picked up the percentage late in the match, committing only 8 errors in the final 2 sets.
In addition to Newgard's 20 kills, Talcott, Schroeder and Andrews joined her in double figures. Talcott had 17 kills, while Schroeder tallied 14 and Andrews 12. Schroeder spearheaded the Augustana defense with a season-high 28 digs. Talcott matched her season high with 19 digs, while
Jenna Hultgren chipped in with 18.
Brianna Erickson contributed 11.
Lisa Hoegh directed the offense with a season-high 62 assists.
After playing four straight road matches the Vikings return home this weekend for a pair of Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference matches. Augie entertains Upper Iowa on Friday at 7 p.m. before taking on Winona State on Saturday at 4 p.m. Both matches will be played in the Elmen Center.
