WINONA, Minn. - No. 6 Augustana (18-3,9-2 NSIC) suffered just their third loss of the year Saturday night in Winona, Minn after dropping a 5-set heartbreaker to Winona State (17-25, 25-19, 25-19, 19-25,11-15).

The first set didn't start out well for Augustana as they were forced to burn a timeout after falling behind 5-0. The Vikings put a few small runs together following the timeout to get within three at 11-8. Three points would be the closest the Vikings would get as they dropped set one 25-17.

Set two started out much different than the first with the Vikings jumping out to a 4-2 lead. After Winona State took a 9-7 lead the Vikings scored three straight to regain the lead. After Winona tied the set at 12, Augustana scored four of the next five points to take a 17-13 lead, a lead they would extend to six on their way to a 25-19 win.

With the momentum on Augustana's side, the Vikings opened the third set with three straight points. The Vikings and Warriors traded 11 straight points until the score was 12-10 Augustana. The Vikings didn't allow Winona State to get within two points the rest of the set, winning 25-19.

The fourth set looked as though it was going to go the Vikings way after they scored the first two points. Winona State tied it at nine but Augustana quickly made it 10-9 Vikings. Winona State took back the lead for the final time in set at 15-13 as Augustana was unable to comeback, falling 25-19.

Augustana entered the fifth set with a 4-1 record in 5-set matches this season. They earned the first point of the set and eventually led 6-4. Winona State then scored six straight points to take a 10-6 lead before winning the set 15-11, and the match 3-2.

Viking of the Match
Courtney Place led all players with 21 kills on the night. She had a hitting percentage of .362. Place added six digs and three assisted blocks to her totals.

Viking Notables
• Place's 21 kills ties a career-high. It's the third time she has reached 21 kills this season and fourth time in her career
• Anna Sykora had 42 assists
• Tahlyr Banks had 24 digs
• Bailey Koch led the match with six blocks
• This is Augustana's first road loss of the season
• The Vikings are now 21-8 all-time against Winona State
• Augustana is now 4-3 against the AVCA Top-25 this season

Up Next
Augustana will be on the road Tuesday night as they travel to Wayne, Neb. to take on Wayne State. First serve against the Wildcats is scheduled for 7 p.m.