BOX SCORE
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Augustana rode the smooth setting of Marissa Johnson and Brittany Cech's second career double-double to a 3-0, straight-set win over South Dakota School of Mines and Technology on Friday afternoon. The Vikings improve to 5-0 on the season with their 25-12, 25-19, 25-22 win while the Hardrockers fall to 2-4 in 2013.
Johnson tallied 51 assists in just three sets to help Augustana to a .415 attack percentage in the match – a season-high for the Vikings. Cech used 11 kills in the second set to notch her second double-double in the last three games with 16 kills and 11digs.
Holly Hafemeyer continued her blistering offensive start with 17 kills, including eight in the final set. Kayla Wallerich and Julia Witt combined for 32 digs in the match, limiting the Hardrockers to a .192 attack percentage – Samantha Johnson led SDSM&T with 10 kills.
The Vikings put the Hardrockers away early in the opening set by jumping out to a 9-2 lead - Augustana was 6-for-6 on attack attempts forcing two Hardrocker timeouts - and coasted to a 25-12 set win. Three Vikings combined for 13 kills with just one error to help Augustana to a .619 attack percentage in the first set.
Cech's second-set offensive outburst gave the Vikings the edge for the second stanza, 25-19. Witt's mid-set serving helped Augustana reel off five consecutive points and give them a cushion they would not relinquish.
The Vikings found themselves behind for the first time in the match when SDSM&T took a 3-2 lead, but the Hardrockers could not hold on as the Vikings battled back to take the match-clinching set 25-22. Augustana regained the lead once Courtney Ysker drilled back-to-back kills, giving them a 17-16 lead. The Vikings then closed the match on three consecutive kills from Hafemeyer, Ysker, and Taylor Hrdlichka.
Continuing play in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Challenge, the Vikings face Drury (Mo.) at 7 p.m. on Sept. 13.
