SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- In an exciting five-set thriller, the Augustana volleyball team dropped a close match (25-27, 25-22, 27-25, 22-25, 14-16) to crosstown rival Sioux Falls at the Stewart Center Saturday night.

"It was a dogfight out there," Augustana head coach Jennifer Jacobs said. "I believe so much in this team, our coaching staff believes in this team and I have no doubt that we will regroup and be ready to go."

Senior setter Alex Banker set a career-high with 54 assists to go along with 11 digs for the Vikings, who drop to (8-3, 0-2) on the young season.
Junior Lauren Waite led Augustana with 17 kills while outside hitter Courtney Place knocked down 16 kills and added 12 digs on the night. Senior middle blockers Ashley Wilson and Bailey Koch each had 7 blocks to lead the Vikings.

Sioux Falls' Makenna Rockeman used a match-high 27 kills to lead the Cougars (6-1, 1-1) and added 10 digs on the night.
The match was tied at one after a back-and-fourth first two sets. That trend continued with the third set tied at 22. Back-to-back kills by Wilson and Waite gave the Vikings a two-point lead, but the Cougars came storming back.

Kills by USF's Megan Hamstad and Rockeman tied the match up, with Rockeman giving the Cougars the 25-24 lead. A kill by Waite and a service ace by junior Kaylea Ahrens gave the Vikings the lead, and a block assist by Banker and Wilson gave Augustana the set three victory, 27-25.
In set five, the Vikings found themselves down 7-4 and were forced to call a timeout. Kills by Wilson and Koch helped Augustana fight back to get within one, trailing 8-7.Continuing to battle in the fifth set, Ahrens' kill knotted things up at 14.

The Cougars scored the next two points to take the 16-14 set five victory.

The Vikings return to action Tuesday when they travel to #17 Wayne State for a 6 p.m. first serve.