ABERDEEN, S.D. -- Playing one of the nations best in No. 2 Northern State, the Augustana Volleyball team put forth a great effort and competed with the Wolves, but ultimately fell in four sets, 25-23, 22-25, 25-20, 25-12. Overall, the Vikings hit .147 compared to .211 for NSU. The loss drops the Vikings to 8-14 (3-11 NSIC) overall, and brings the Wolves to 21-1 (13-1 NSIC).

Vikings head coach Jen Jacobs was pleased with the way her team didn't give up tonight. "I thought they played well," Jacobs said, "I'm so proud of these women for competing for four sets and never giving in." 

Augustana came out strong in the first set, taking a 14-13 lead on a service ace from Avery Thorson. The true freshman also led the team with 42 assists on the night. After both sides traded points, the Vikings tied the opening set at 18 up with a kill from by Courtney Place. The set remained tied at 23 when a pair of attack errors gave the Wolves a first set win.

The second set was a different story as the Vikings came out and hit .289 as a team. Redshirt freshman Izzy Sommers continued to have a strong season, and a kill from her gave Augustana a one-point lead early on. Minutes later, back-to-back kills from Sommer and Place pushed the Vikings lead to 13-8, their biggest lead of the match. Leading 24-22 late in the set, another Place kill gave the Vikings the set win and tied the match up at 1-1. Place finished with a team-high 15 kills and hit .217

The Vikings stood strong in the third set, but Northern's Hailey Busch picked up a service ace, and Jenna Reiff followed with a kill to give the Wolves a three-point lead. The Vikings responded with a couple of points, including a kill from Kaylea Ahrens, and it was tied at 11 all. But the Northern combination of size and skill was too much and the Wolves took set three, 25-20. The final set saw Northern jump out to an early led and not look back, winning the match with a 25-12 victory. Overall, the Wolves got four players with at least 10 kills, including Laura Snyder with a match-high 18.

Overall, the Vikings racked up 47 kills and 78 digs. Abby Benson led the team with three blocks, and also chipped in five kills. Payton Rosendahl added six kills and Place led the team with 19 digs, giving her a double-double on the evening. 

Following their three-game road trip, the Vikings will now return home for a pair of matches this weekend. They help start the Homecoming festivities with a Friday night matchup vs. Minot State at 6 p.m. at the Elmen Center.