DULUTH, Minn. - No. 20 Augustana volleyball (13-5, 6-4 NSIC) fell to the fifth-ranked Bulldogs of Minnesota Duluth (15-4, 8-2) in four sets Friday night (16-25, 12-25, 25-22, 11-25).

The Vikings came out slow in the first two sets of the match Friday. In set-one the Vikings fell behind 8-0 before a Bulldog service ace got Augustana on the scoreboard. The Vikings fell in set-one 25-16. Set-two was much like the first as the Vikings fell behind early 8-2 before dropping the set 12-25.

Augustana earned their first tie of the match in set-three when the score was 1-1. Augustana traded points early with the Bulldogs, but two great hustle plays that saw sophomore libero Tahlyr Banks hurdle teammates to continue plays, gave the Vikings some momentum in the third set. Augustana would grab the set win behind blocks from junior's Dani Magdzas and Becca Finley. The Vikings weren't able to ride the momentum they won in the third set, as they dropped the fourth set 25-11, and the match 3-1.

The Vikings were led by redshirt freshman Lauren Waite, who led the team with nine kills. Sophomore Ashley Wilson and junior Dani Magdas had eight and seven respectively. The Vikings as a team had 41 kills.

Sophomore Alex Banker, led the way in assists Friday night, as she helped assist on 16 points. Senior Marissa Johnson had 13 assists while junior Anna Sykora had 7.

Sophomore libero Tahlyr Banks continues to eat up attempts as she had a team high 17 digs in the contest. Junior's Brittany Cech and Ivy Pearson each had 5 digs. Augustana had 45 digs as a team.

Magdzas was active at the net tonight as she recorded four total blocks. Finley and Wilson also had good nights at the net with three and one total blocks respectively.  

Banks also had a good night from the service line as she had a match high three service aces. Cech and Johnson each added one ace of their own.

Augustana will have to have short memories as they travel to St. Cloud, Minn. for a key NSIC match-up with St. Cloud State tomorrow night. The match between the Vikings and the Huskies is set to begin at 4 p.m. You can follow all the action via twitter @augievolleyball or with live video and stats HERE.