Box Score
The Augustana volleyball team lost a five-game heartbreaker to Bemidji State Friday in Bemidji, Minn. After losing the first set 25-14, Augie rallied to win the next two 25-22 and 25-17 before falling 25-14 and 15-10 in the final two sets.
With the loss, Augie slips to 8-10 overall and 3-3 in NSIC play. Bemidji State improves to 6-10 and 3-3 in the conference.
The first set stayed even until Bemidji State scored three points in a row to take a 13-9 lead. The Beavers then outscored the Vikings 9-3, thanks in part to a serving run by Bemidji's Brie Groskreutz. A kill by freshman right side
Jordan Spatenka gave the Vikings a point, but a kill by the Beavers followed by a Spatanka attack error gave Bemidji State the 25-14.
Bemidji State tied up set two at 21-21 with a kill by Nicole Olsen. Back-to-back kills from senior right side
Ellen Andrews put the Vikings up 23-21 before another kill from Olsen pulled the Beavers to within one. An attack error by Bemidji state followed by another kill by Andrews gave the Vikings the 25-22 victory.
Augie gained a 12-9 lead in the third set when freshman libero
Grace Sanders aced Bemidji State's Laura Slinger. Three kills in a row by the Beavers tied the score up at 12-12, but Bemidji State would not challenge for the lead again. Freshman setter
Breanna Brandt served five points in a row to give Augie a convincing 22-15 lead. The Beavers would only score two more points before a kill by Spatenka and a Bemidji State attack error ended the set 25-17.
Bemidji State jumped out to an early 7-1 lead in the fourth set and never looked back. The Vikings had seven kills and seven errors in the set compared to Bemidji State's 17 kills and only four errors, making it difficult for the Vikings to surmount a comeback. They fell in set four 25-14.
In set five the Vikings were quickly down 3-0 but clawed their way back in when a kill by sophomore middle
Alex Burke tied the score at 5-5. Bemidji State gradually started to pull away, but a kill by Spatenka moved the Vikings to within one at 9-8. The Beavers then scored four points in a row to take a 13-8 lead, and would hold the Vikings to only two more points, winning the final set 15-10.
Andrews led the Viking offense with 14 kills and Spatenka added a career-high 12 kills. Junior outside
Beth Talcott chipped in with a season-high 10 kills. Freshman setter
Dani Haley dished out 31 assists and Sanders tallied 19 digs.
The Vikings will be back in action tomorrow against Minnesota Duluth. Match is scheduled for 4 p.m. in Duluth, Minn.
