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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Augustana (8-0) opens the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference regular season with a pair of matches in Sioux Falls. The Vikings welcome No. 10 Southwest Minnesota State (5-3) to the Elmen Center on Thursday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. To close the week out, the Vikings travel across 26th St. to face cross-town rival University of Sioux Falls (7-1) on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 4 p.m. in the Stewart Center.
With an 8-0 start, the Vikings are off to the best start since 2000 when Augustana opened the season 15-0 and finished as the national runner-up. The Vikings will also be looking to exorcise some demons against SMSU. Augustana has gone winless in the past 13 matches against the Mustangs including the last seven NSIC matches.
However, the Vikings are on a more positive run against the USF Cougars. Augustana has won 14 straight against USF, only dropping two sets throughout the streak.
The Vikings' undefeated start is also garnering national attention. In the American Volleyball Coaches Association poll released Sept. 16, the Vikings were placed on seven ballots and received 21 total points, leaving them just short of breaking into the top 25.
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