SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - No. 20 Augustana (17-9, 10-8 NSIC) fell in heartbreaking fashion Saturday evening to No. 1 Concordia-St. Paul (22-4, 16-2 NSIC) on Senior Day, 25-21, 21-25, 15-25, 25-19 and 14-16.

Augustana came out looking like a team on a mission Saturday, determined to win their first match against the Golden Bears since 2002. In set-one the Vikings grabbed a 12-3 lead, holding the set advantage the entire way. The Vikings spread the wealth offensively in the set with Sydney Hunsley earning four kills and Brittany Cech, Ashley Wilson and Lauren Waite each with three. The Vikings closed out the set 25-21. Set's two and three didn't go Augustana's way as Concordia-St. Paul was hitting everything in sight. the Golden Bears hit.453 and .446 respectively.

The final two sets had enough drama to last a season. Augustana knew they had to pull out a victory in the fourth-set and they did just that. Sydney Hunsley continued an impressive senior day as she had 10 kills to this point. Marissa Johnson was finding her teammates left and right. the teams traded the lead twice during the set, but Augustana would prevail thanks to a Cech kill on an assist from Johnson's.

Set-five had all the makings of a great finish as the two teams were trading points early. Augustana gained the advantage 8-6 heading into the side switch thanks to a kill from Dani Magdzas. Concordia-St. Paul came back tying the match at 10 all before taking a 14-12 lead. Ashley Wilson wouldn't let it end as she put some power behind an attack to make it 14-13. Magdzas would also add a kill, tying the match at 14. Unfortunately for Augustana, that would be all the scoring as the Golden Bears would get the final two-points to escape Sioux Falls victorious.

The Vikings had four athletes with 11 kills Saturday night. The kills were spread around to Hunsley, Cech, Wilson and Magdzas. Becca Finley and Lauren Waite each add seven while the team had 63 kills.

Marissa Johnson picked a great night to have her best match of the season. In her final match inside of the Elmen Center, she posted a season-high, 30 assists. Alex Banker also was solid against the Golden Bears with 24 assists.

Augustana was out blocked 15-6 but the Vikings were led by Ashley Wilson who had four total blocks. Magdzas and Finley each added two blocks while Cech Hunsley and Waite added one of their own.

Tahlyr Banks led the team in digs with 22 while Cech and Ivy Pearson added 13 and six respectively.

The Vikings had their best serving night of the season against the No. 1 team in the country. Augustana had seven aces and a season low two service errors.   

Augustana will close out the regular season next week as they travel to Winona State and Upper Iowa. The match against the Warriors is set for a 7 p.m. start on Friday followed by a 4 p.m. start on Saturday against the Peacocks.