SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Four players notched double digit kills to drive the 18th-ranked Augustana volleyball team to an upset victory over No. 6 Minnesota Duluth, 3-1, on Alumni Night inside the Elmen Center Friday evening.
Augustana, (21-8, 12-7 NSIC) dropped the first set 22-25, before winning the final three sets in a row, 25-18, 25-22 and 25-21 to give the Vikings their second win over a top-10 opponent this season.
Senior
Bailey Koch was the most effective for the Vikings. The Litchfield, Minn. native demolished 10 kills on just 25 attacks to hit .400 on the night.
"All week in practice, we've just been focusing on our side of the net and it paid off tonight," Koch said. "Our passers were passing out of their minds and we just stayed in system and it worked out in our favor."
Ashley Wilson and
Lauren Waite each tallied 11 kills Friday night. Wilson, a senior middle blocker hit .391 and added a match-high seven total blocks for Augustana.
Courtney Place recorded a team-high 14 kills and added five digs. Senior setter
Alex Banker assisted 48 of the Vikings 51 kills and muscled up nine digs.
As a team, the Vikings hit .288 on the night and allowed the Bulldogs to hit just .112. Augustana launched 15 kills in the second set to hit for .433, their best set percentage of the evening.
The Vikings return to action Saturday, Nov. 11 when they battle St. Cloud State at the Elmen Center at 2 p.m. The match will be the last time stepping on the floor for five Viking volleyball players as it's senior day.
"Tomorrow is going to be a battle and it's bitter sweet because it's our last match at the Elmen, but it's going to be a good one." Koch said.
--GoAugie.com--