BOX SCORE SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- It was an energetic environment in the Elmen Center for tonight's match vs the University of Sioux Falls. Unfortunately, the Vikings fell to the Cougars 3-2 in five thrilling sets (25-19, 25-19, 22-25, 28-26, 15-13).

Head coach Jen Jacobs was proud of the way the team started tonight in the five set loss to Sioux Falls. "The team fought hard tonight and we will live to see another day," Jacobs said "The conference is a long season and we will bounce back." The Vikings are now 5-5 (0-2 NSIC) on the season.

The match started off in favor of the Vikings, as they jumped out to a 18-15 lead against the Cougars in set one. The Cougars tried to rally back scoring two points, but a big block from Grace Haberland and Izzy Sommers pushed the Vikings ahead to 21 points. The ace from Sophia Terwilleger, two service errors by the Cougars, and kill from Abby Benson finalized the last four points needed to take the first set.
 
The Vikings quickly got out to a 9-6 lead forcing the Cougars to call a timeout. After trading points with the Cougars, setter Avery Thorson got her first kill of the night pushing the score to 15-8 for the Vikings. The Vikings sealed the second set win with back to back kills from Courtney Place.

To start the third set Augustana fell behind early, but the two kills from Place put the Vikings ahead. After going point for point with the Cougars the Vikings called a timeout with a score of 22-21. The Cougars came out of the timeout ready to battle to victory, with two points scored by the Cougars pushed the score to 24-22. Sioux Falls right side hitter, Bria Barfnecht, scored her 12th kill of the night to win set three for the Cougars.

With her 17th kill of the night thus far, Place pushed the Vikings up by one in the fourth set, making the score 7-6. After the Vikings kill the Cougars scored six in a row, forcing Jacobs to call a timeout. Out of the timeout the Vikings answered quickly. A couple kills, blocks, and errors by the Cougars gave the Vikings a 13-12 lead. Ultimately, the Cougars finalized the fourth set win with a kill from Lexi Scott, her 13th of the night.

The Vikings and Cougars traded points to start the fifth set. With neither team being able to pull ahead more than a point or two the teams were neck and neck when the Vikings called a timeout at 11-13, Cougars ahead. Out of the timeout Cougars answered with two more points to seal the match victory.   

The Vikings are back in action on Tuesday Sept. 11 at 6 pm at the Elmen Center vs Wayne State.