MINOT, N.D. – No. 19 Augustana College volleyball swept Minot State in straight sets Friday night with scores of 25-20, 25-18, and 25-16 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference matchup.
With the win, the Vikings improved to 13-4 on the season and 6-3 in the NSIC while the Beavers drop to 4-13 (2-7 NSIC).
Senior
Courtney Ysker proved to be the offensive catalyst on the night, tallying a team-best 13 kills.
Ashley Wilson followed Ysker's performance adding 12 kills, to go along with a team-best .474 (12-3-19) attack percentage on the night.
Bailey Koch added seven kills.
Freshman setter
Alex Banker had a season best and team-best 22 assists for the night, playing a key role in the three-set sweep.
Defensive specialist
Tahlyr Banks added 20 digs.
The Vikings got out to a fast start in the first set going on a 5-0 run to lead 11-5. Minot State regained focus to grab three straight points to cut Augustana's lead to only one point, with a score of 18-17. The Vikings recorded the final four points to take the first set 25-20. Ysker led Augustana with six kills.
Set two generated much of the same result, with the Vikings getting out to an early 15-10 lead. The Beavers tallied three points to come within three at 18-15. Two-back-to-back kills from Wilson a few points later made it 22-17 Augustana. The Vikings never looked back, taking the second set 25-18 to head into intermission. Wilson led Augustana with five kills in the set.
Minot State tried to keep it close by tying the third set at three apiece. The Vikings took the next four straight points to give them a momentum boost that the Beavers were unable to match, giving Augustana 25-16 set win with two final kills from Koch. The Vikings only had three attack errors in the final set, while Minot State had seven. Augustana hit an impressive .312 attack percentage to the Beavers' .101 in route to the final match victory.
The Vikings return to action tomorrow as they travel to Bismarck, N.D. to take on the Marauders of the University of Mary. First serve in slated for 6 p.m.
--- GoAugie.com ---
