ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The No. 16 Augustana volleyball team dropped a heart-wrenching 5-set thriller to No. 4 Southwest Minnesota State in the NSIC semifinals Saturday afternoon at the Gangelhoff Center.  

After dropping the first set 25-22, the Vikings (23-9,13-7 NSIC) stormed back to win the next two sets by the score of 25-23. The Mustangs took the final two sets 25-21 and 15-8 respectively.

The score was tied 30 times with 12 lead changes in the match.

"I thought the team fought hard today. It's hard when you come up a little short and at this point in the season everyone wants it," head coach Jennifer Jacobs said. "It comes down to the little things and we could have executed a little better at certain times in the match. Now we pray for Monday's selection show so send us good vibes."

Both Courtney Place and Alex Banker recorded double-doubles for Augustana. Banker, a senior setter from Omaha, Neb. accumulated a career-high 64 assists to go along with her 15 digs. Place, a junior outside hitter from Okabena, Minn. racked up 25 kills - one short of her career-high - and 14 digs.

In total, four Augustana volleyball players recorded double-digit kills. Senior right side hitter Bailey Koch connected on 14 kills with a .324 hitting percentage. Ashley Wilson, a senior middle blocker from Sioux Falls, S.D. eclipsed the 1,000 kill mark for her career with 11 kills Saturday afternnon to go along with a .318 hitting percentage.  Senior Lauren Waite added 13 kills for the Vikings.

Senior libero Tahlyr Banks dug up a match-high 30 digs for Augustana and was one of five Vikings to record a service ace.

The Mustangs Taylor Reiss broke an NSIC Tournament record with 41 kills Saturday afternoon. Kaylee Burmeister tallied another 22 for SMSU.

Augustana hit .254 as a team in the match compared to the Mustangs .281 hitting percentage. The Vikings hit .222 in the first set, .156 in the second set, .333 in the third, .361 in the fourth and .158 in the fifth set. Southwest Minnesota State hit over .300 in three of their sets - .326 in the third, .452 in the fourth and .500 in the fifth set.

Augustana awaits their fate with the NCAA Selection show scheduled for Monday, Nov. 20 at 6:30 p.m. on NCAA.com.