BOX SCORE
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Augustana snaped its four-game losing streak with a 3-2 (25-16, 17-25, 25-15, 20-25, 15, 12) victory over Minnesota, Crookston Saturday evening.
The Vikings improve to 11-8 (5-6 NSIC). Minnesota, Crookston drops to 8-13 (3-9 NSIC).
Augustana's impressive offensive performance was led by
Holly Hafemeyer who recorded 19 kills with a .341 attack percentage.
Jordan Spatenka was also a strong hitter for the Vikings with 16 kills.
Dani Haley helped the Vikings hit .309, tallying 57 assists.
Kayla Wallerich had 20 digs to lead the team.
Augustana was unstoppable in the first set, hitting .720 with 19 kills on 25 attacks with just one error. The Vikings jumped out to a 4-0 lead and managed to continue rolling. With an 18-13 advantage, Augustana won five-straight points with the help of
Lindsey Petersen and Hafemeyer who recorded two kills apiece in the series. Hafemeyer had an impressive nine kills in the set as Augustana won 25-16.
Set two remained much closer as the score had two ties before UMC took the final lead after a knot in the score at 14-14. Augustana won just three more points in the set, dropping 25-17 to the Golden Eagles.
The Vikings came out strong in the third set, gaining a 4-0 lead. Augustana held its advantage throughout the set and at 22-15 Spatenka and
Taylor Hrdlichka recorded kills and UMC had an error for a Viking win.
Augustana held the lead in the fourth set, but the Golden Eagles remained in the action and stole the advantage 16-12 after winning seven-straight points. The teams continued to play evenly until UMC pulled away and won set three 25-20.
UMC took the first three points of the fifth set. Augustana battled back and while trailing 6-5, Spatenka smashed a kill to spark a run that gave the Vikings the lead for good. The Vikings took the set 15-12.
Brittany Looker led the Golden Eagles with 18 kills. UMC hit .284 in the match.
Augustana takes to the road on Tuesday for a match against No. 9 Southwest Minnesota State in Marshall, Minn., at 7 p.m.
