BOX SCORE
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – No. 2 Wayne State held Augustana to a .085 hitting percentage and recorded 18 blocks to defeat the Vikings 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-12).
The loss is a first for the Vikings against a conference opponent and drops their record to 8-6 (4-1 NSIC). WSC remains undefeated, now 14-0 (5-0 NSIC).
Lindsey Peterson recorded nine kills during the match, while Jordan Spatenka and Taylor Hrdlichka followed close behind with seven each.
Dani Haley had 28 assists in the evening and Grace Sanders tallied 25 digs.
The Vikings began the match in total confidence, jumping ahead 9-4 off a kill by Taylor Hrdlichka. Augustana continued to glide through the set with ease, even gaining as much as a six point lead at 16-10 before WSC caught up and tied the score, once at 19-19 and again at 20-20. After the second knot in the score, the Wildcats had the upper hand, recording three kills to help close the set 25-23.
A slow start for the Vikings in the next set left them trailing 8-1 early on until a kill from Brianna Erickson got Augustana on the scoreboard again. The Vikings dragged behind the Wildcats through the remainder of the set until Augustana went on a seven-point winning streak to face only a two-point deficit at 23-21. Despite Augustana's streak, WSC would still take the set 25-22.
The Wildcats came out as a powerhouse in the final set, recording 15 kills with a .387 attack percentage. The Vikings were not able to match WSC's strength, posting eight kills with six errors. Although Augustana was able to hang with WSC early on, the Wildcats ran away with the set after a tie at 7-7.
Augustana faced serving trouble during the evening, tallying eight errors. WSC had four.
Augustana will play again Friday against Bemidji State at 7 p.m. for another home conference match.
