The Vikings improved to 3-1 on the season after defeating the Griffons 25-21, 20-25, 25-6, and 25-15.
With set one tied at 4-4, back-to-back kills by senior middle
Blythe Johnson and an ace from sophomore defensive specialist
Melanie Twait, and a kill from Bezdicek put the Vikings up 8-4. Augustana held that lead until two errors let the Griffons come to within two at 21-19. The Vikings were able to hold them off and finished set one 25-21 with a kill by Hultgren.
The teams alternated scoring in the second set and a kill by Johnson tied the score at 13. The Griffons then outscored the Vikings 8-2 to build a 21-16 lead. Augie could not surmount a comeback and lost the second set 25-20.
Set number three was all the Vikings as they started the set by outscoring the Griffons 17-2. Freshman setter
Breanna Brandt went on an eight-point serving streak before Hultgren served another run of 10. The Vikings recorded 12 kills with just three errors and won 25-6.
The Vikings started set four up 6-2 and continued to build on their lead as the Griffons were unable to score thanks to strong defensive by freshman libero
Grace Sanders. The Vikings coasted to a 25-15 victory.
Johnson led all hitters with a season-high 10 kills and 8 blocks, while Andrews added 9 and Bezdicek recorded 8. Sanders collected 27 digs and junior middle blocker
Brianna Erickson recorded a career-high 9 blocks.
The Vikings will host Nebraska-Kearney Wednesday night at the Elmen Center. Match begins at 7 p.m.
SpringHill Suites All-Tournament Team
Jenna Hultgren, Augustana
Ellen Andrews, Augustana
Megan Bezdicek, Augustana
Jordan Schaffer, Northern State
Whitney Morsching, Northern State
Megan Gilbrath, Northern State
Mary Groth, Southwest Minnesota
Sara Graff, Southwest Minnesota
Devin Diedrich, Southwest Minnesota
Devin Eckhart, Regis
Jessica Howe, Regis
Kelli Sicner, Missouri Western
