ROMEOVILLE, ILL. - The Augustana University volleyball team (1-0) earned a tough, five-set victory Friday morning against Wisconsin-Parkside (25-17, 25-19, 26-28, 12-25, 15-12) at the Lewis University Flyer Festival. The Vikings five-set victory marks the first win in a fifth set under Dan Meske.

After a UWP service error opened the match, Augustana jumped on the Rangers early as they built an 11-9 lead in the first set. After earning six of the next seven points the Vikings didn't look back as they held on to take the first set of the season. Set two was similar to the first with the Vikings building a 10-6 advantage and holding on for the 25-19 set victory.

The third set was a back-and-forth affair throughout. UWP jumped out a 4-0 lead before the Vikings were able to tie the match for the first time at 10 all. After the 10-10 tie neither team was able to get a lead larger than three-points. Late in the set the Rangers were able to earn the final three points to take the set. Set four was one to forget for the Vikings as they lost 25-13.

Entering the fifth set the Vikings were determined to put last season's fifth set struggles behind them. Augustana earned the first point before falling behind 4-2. It was the midway point of the fifth set that Augustana took control of the match earning seven of the nine points. The Vikings would go on to defeat Wisconsin-Parkside 15-12 to earn their first win.

Viking of the Game
Anna Sykora led the team with 44 assists in the Vikings five-set victory over Wisconsin-Parkside. Sykora added 19 digs, five kills, a service ace and an assisted block to her totals.

Viking Notables
• Augustana earned their first 5-set win under Dan Meske. Last season the Vikings were 0-5 in 5-set matches
• In her Augustana debut, Courtney Place led the Vikings in kills with 17
• Hanna Justesen also made her debut for Augustana, ending the match with 13 kills, second on the team
• Bailey Koch returned to the court after redshirting last season and earned 12 kills, three total blocks and two digs
• Anna Sykora set a new career-high in assists with 44. Her previous career-high was 34 at MSU Moorhead on Oct. 30, 2015
• Ashley Wilson had nine kills, two blocks, two digs and one assist
• Kelsey Kaufmann earned four kills on eight attacks
• Augustana had four players with double-digit digs, Sykora (19), Tahlyr Banks (19), Justesen (17) and Brittany Cech (15)
• As a team Augustana had one solo block (Koch) and five total blocks
• Augustana is now 3-3 all-time against Wisconsin-Parkside
• The Vikings improved to 11-2 in early season tournaments over the past three seasons
• For the second-straight season the Vikings win their first match of the year

Up Next
Augustana will be in action later today as they battle No. 3 Palm Beach Atlantic at 5:30 p.m.