SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - No. 21 Augustana (15-6, 8-5 NSIC) defeated Minot State (3-17, 0-13 NSIC) in four-sets Friday night at the Elmen Center (25-20, 25-22, 23-25, 25-18).

Augustana played host to the Beavers of Minot State Friday, as both teams came out ready to play, and it seemed like neither team wanted to take charge of the scoring. Both teams were finding holes in the defense early on as the score was 10-10 midway through the first set. The Vikings were able to go on a run and bring the lead to 20-14 before finally closing out set 1 25-20.

Set number two started out much like the first with the score again tied at 10 all.  This set however there was no big Augustana rally, instead the two teams traded mini rallies of two points each until Augustana was finally able to close out the set 25-22. In the third set the Beavers jumped all over Augustana grabbing an early 11-4 lead. The Vikings attempted to make it close after that but three was as close as it would get as Minot State won just their 16th set of the season. Augustana and Minot State again battled it out till the end in set-four, this time they were tied at 9 all. Trading points to the 16 all mark, Sydney Hunsley was able to get the kill and give the Vikings the lead for good. Augustana went on to win set-4 25-18.

Augustana was led offensively by  Ashley Wilson, who had 13 kills tonight. She was followed closely by Dani Magdzas and Ivy Pearson who had 12 kills, and Brittany Cech who had 11.
The Vikings spread out the assists evenly tonight as they were able to get 28 assists from Anna Sykora and 24 from Alex Banker. Tahlyr Banks added six of her own as the team had 87 assists total.

Banks led the way on the defensive side for the Vikings as she had a match-high 30 digs tonight. Cech had the second highest total in the match with 21, while Banker added 13. The Team had 87 digs to Minot State's 66.

Augustana reached double-digit blocks against the Beavers with 10. Leading the way for the Vikings was Wilson and Pearson who each had four total blocks. Becca Finley followed close with three total blocks.

Augustana will be back in action tomorrow night as they host the University of Mary at 3 p.m. in the Elmen Center. You can follow all the action via Twitter @augievolleyball or through live stats and live video HERE.