BOX SCORE ABERDEEN, S.D. –
Jordan Spatenka smashed her 1,000
th career kill as a Viking, but it wasn't enough as Augustana was swept by Northern State, 25-19, 25-22, 26-24. The loss drops the Vikings' record to 15-8 overall, and 9-5 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play, while the Wolves improve to 13-9 overall, 13-9 in NSIC competition.
Spatenka hit kill number 1,000 in the second set to put the Vikings up 14-11. Spatenka becomes the 20
th member of the 1,000 kill club at Augustana in their 43 year history. The senior outside hitter hit a team-high 10 kills for the night.
The Vikings appeared in control early, hopping out to a 4-1 lead, but the first set tightened up and eventually tied at 12-12. The Wolves then went on an 8-1 run and were in the driver's seat, taking the set 25-19. The Vikings attempted a comeback, but the hole was too deep to climb out especially while surrendering 21 kills to Northern State.
The Vikings once again looked in command of the second set, but allowed the Wolves to come back and eventually take a lead at 21-20. The Wolves then closed the door on Augustana in the second set and won 25-22 to lead the match 2-0.
In the third set, the Vikings used a 7-0 run to take a 10-4 lead and built upon that lead to take an eventual 21-13 lead, but the Wolves would not go quietly. Northern State cut the lead to 21-19, before
Taylor Hrdlichka smashed a kill to end the streak. But the Wolves tied the set at 22-22, and took a 23-22 lead before the Vikings tied the score.
Courtney Ysker knotted the score at 24-24 with a kill, but Northern State quickly answered twice to win 26-24 and take the match 3-0.
Holly Hafemeyer smashed nine kills while
Marissa Johnson and
Katie Niesen each added 14 assists.
Grace Sanders chipped in with a team-high 19 digs.
Augustana returns home to face Minnesota State and Concordia-St. Paul.
