BOX SCORE FAYETTE, Iowa -- Augustana Volleyball came into Saturday hoping to leave Fayette with their first NSIC victory, but Upper Iowa had other plans as they knocked off the Vikings in straight sets (16-25, 19-25, 14-25). The loss drops Augustana to 5-10 (0-7 NSIC) on the year and brings Upper Iowa to 9-6 overall (2-5 NSIC).

The Vikings started strong in the first set and jumped out to a 10-5 lead on a kill from Payton Rosendahl. However, Upper Iowa stormed back to take a 11-10 lead and forcing an Augustana timeout. Coming out of the break, the Vikings could not find an answer for the Peacocks onslaught and fell 25-16.

Set two picked up where the first left off with the Peacocks jumping out to an 8-3 lead. The Vikings looked to rally back in the middle of the set, and with a nice kill from Hanna Justesen, the Vikings cut the deficit to 18-16. However, the Peacocks once again had the answer, finishing the set strong to win 25-19.

Set three was close early with Augustana trailing 11-10. It was a different game out of the timeout, as Upper Iowa finished on a 14-4 run to win set three 25-14 and defeat Augustana 3-0.

For the match, the Warriors racked up 10 blocks to the Vikings' three. Setting the pace for the Vikings were Courtney Place with 10 kills, Kaylea Ahrens with 16 digs, and Avery Thorson with 24 assists. The Vikings did have their lowest hitting percentage of the year but also finished with a match-high 117 total attacks.

Leaders for the Peacocks were Anna Winter with 12 kills, Gabby Holmes with 16 digs, and Malissa LeClaire with 30 assists.

The Vikings are back in action next weekend starting Friday, September 28th vs. the University of Minnesota Duluth at 6 p.m., followed by a match Saturday, September 29th vs St. Cloud State University at 2 p.m.