BOX SCORE

BEMIDJI, Minn. – The 22nd-ranked Augustana volleyball team erased a 2-1 deficit, earning a five-set victory over Bemidji State Saturday afternoon with scores of 22-25, 25-23, 19-25, 28-26, and 15-13.

The Vikings improved to 9-2 overall and 2-1 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, while the Beavers dropped to 2-9 (0-3 in the NSIC) with the loss.

Senior Courtney Ysker's huge performance lead Augustana to a five-set victory, recording her sixth double-double of the season with a season-high 24 kills, and a team-best 16 digs for the match.

Bailey Koch logged 13 kills, while Ashley Wilson had 12 kills.

Setter Marissa Johnson recorded her eighth double-double of the season with 41 assists and 13 digs.

Brittany Cech and Tahlyr Banks combined for 23 digs in the win.

Kelsey Kaufmann finished with a team-best .400 attack percentage against BSU.

In the first set, Augustana jumped out to an early 3-0 lead. Kaufmann would smash two kills that forced Bemidji State to take a timeout early in the set. The Beavers responded and went on a 4-0 run to cut Viking lead to two at 10-8.

A defensive block from Kaufmann, followed by kills from Ysker and Ivy Pearson would push Augustana up three at 17-14. Errors from the Vikings allowed Bemidji State to tie the game at 18 apiece. The Beavers went on another run to go up 21-18, making Augustana use a timeout to regain focus. BSU was just too much for the Vikings after that, winning the close set 25-22.

At the start the second set, Augustana again got off to another 3-0 lead. Two back-to-back kills and a service ace from Ysker put the Vikings up 14-10, resulting in a Bemidji State timeout. Augustana would lead 20-16 late in the set, forcing the Beavers to take another timeout. A final kill from Wilson sealed the deal for the Vikings in the set, winning 25-23, tying the match up at 1-1.

Koch would start off the third set with two back-to-back kills, part of a 7-3 run by to start the set. BSU responded by taking the lead late in the set at 17-15. Banks got Augustana to within a point of Bemidji State on a service ace at 19-18. The Beavers though held their ground, winning the set 25-19.

The battle would continue in the fourth set with Cech and Koch putting the Vikings up 2-0 early. Between both teams there was four ties within the first six points. BSU closed to within three points, but three final solo blocks by Becca Finley secured the set for Augustana at 28-26, tying the match up at 2-2.

In the fifth and final set, Bemidji State would gain an early 6-3 lead, leading to a Vikings' timeout. Johnson came out of the timeout with a key service ace, giving Augustana a one-point lead at 10-9. Block assists from Finley and Koch, followed by another service ace from Johnson helped the Vikings close out the set 15-13, and would used a 7-0 run to overcome a 9-5 deficit in the final set  taking the match 3-2.

Augustana continues play next Tuesday, Sept. 23 as they travel to Marshall, Minn. to take Southwest Minnesota State. Start time is set for 7 p.m.