Sioux Falls, S.D.-- In their second match of homecoming weekend, the Augustana Volleyball team dominated U-Mary winning in straight sets (25-19, 25-14, 25-9). The Vikings have now won their last four home games and five of their last seven overall. Augustana is now 10-14 (5-11 NSIC) on the year. The loss drops U-Mary to 3-21 (0-16 NSIC).
Head volleyball coach Jen Jacobs was excited to see her team continue their winning ways. "Our confidence is back, and we see that on and off the court," Jacobs said. "In practice they are confident and that's transferring right onto the floor in games."
The Vikings and Marauders battled for an edge early in the first set, with the Vikings pulling away first, gaining a 16-11 lead on an attack error from U-Mary. The Marauders didn't go quietly though as they rallied back to a score of 18-16 Augustana forcing a Vikings timeout. Augustana regrouped and finished strong with a kill from
Izzy Sommers, sealing the first set 25-19.
In the second set, the Vikings jumped out to a 9-4 lead on an ace from
Kathryn Nasby. Later in the set, Augustana extended its lead to 16-9 on a kill from
Abby Benson. The Vikings finished on a 9-5 run to take the second set 25-14.
Set three was all Vikings. Augustana came out swinging and U-Mary had no answer. The Vikings pulled ahead 17-8 on a kill from
Sophia Terwilleger, forcing a U-Mary timeout. The Vikings would allow Mary only 1 point from then on, resulting in a 25-9 win in the third and final set.
For the match, Augustana hit .241 to Mary's .010. The Vikings had a season-high 12 service aces Saturday night in the victory.
Courtney Place led the Vikings in kills with 12,
Kaylea Ahrens had 11 digs, and
Avery Thorson pitched in 25 assists on the evening to help propel the Vikings to victory.
Leaders for Mary were Morgan Schnabel with 10 kills and Natalia Cruz with 14 digs.
The Vikings continue their final homestand of the year next weekend, hosting Upper Iowa Friday, October 26th at 6 p.m. and Winona State for senior day on Saturday at 2 p.m.
