SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- The Augustana volleyball team fought back after falling down 2-0 to force a fifth set but would fall to Sioux Falls 15-25, 23-25, 25-18, 25-18, 10-15 inside the Stewart Center on Tuesday night. 

The Vikings struggled in the first set, only accounting for five kills in a 25-15 first set loss. In the second frame, Augustana found some momentum early on, taking a 4-1 lead but USF used a 5-1 run to take the lead at 10-9. The rest of the set was a battle for both teams as there were 11 ties and seven lead changes. USF used a late push to take the second set 25-23. 

In the third stanza, the Vikings took charge after a slow start to take a 16-12 lead and a 22-15 lead before Payton Rosendahl sealed the deal with a hammer to take the 25-18 set three victory. 

The fourth set was all Vikings as they didn't trail once. Augustana used a hot start to take a 10-6 lead and later a 21-11 lead after a 7-1 run. After stopping a late rally by the Cougars the Vikings took the 25-18 fourth set win to force a winner take all fifth set. 

The fifth frame was full of momentum swings. Augustana used an early momentum surge to jump out to an early 3-0 lead before USF fought back to tie things up and take the lead 11-5. After a tactical move by the Vikings that cut the lead to 12-10 USF, the Cougars scored the next three points to take the fifth set and the match 15-10. 

Maddy Guetter finished with a team-high 19 kills on a .306 hitting percentage while Payton Rosendahl recorded her first double-double of the season tying her career high with 14 kills and 13 digs. Izzy Sommers recorded 10 kills and freshman Kate Reimann chipped in with eight kills on a .333 hitting percentage. Avery Thorson finished with a team-high 47 assists and 12 digs to record her eighth double-double of the season. 

Lexie Langley added four aces while Abby Benson and Sommers sent back four blocks a-piece. Freshman Erika Bute finished with a team-high 17 digs. 

As a team, the Vikings finished with 60 kills, 59 assists and four aces. Defensively, Augustana had 9 blocks and 71 digs. 

Quotable
"It was a tough loss tonight," head coach Jennifer Jacobs said. "I thought we battled well in sets 3-4-5 but just didn't quite close it out. We have to regroup for this weekend!"

Up Next 
The Vikings have a short week as they get ready to host No. 8 St. Cloud State on Friday at 6 p.m. and No. 7 Minnesota Duluth at 2 p.m. on Saturday inside the Elmen Center.