KINGSVILLE, Texas -- The Augustana women's volleyball program opened up play in Texas going 2-0 on the first day of the Emerald Beach Hotel Javelina Volleyball Tournament. The Vikings began their day with a 3-0 sweep of the host school, Texas A&M Kingsville, before closing out play with a 3-1 win against Westminster.
Texas A&M Kingsville
The Vikings (4-1) captured the 25-18, 25-21, 25-14 victory over the Javelinas to gain their first win of the tournament.
Augustana and TAMUK traded points back-and-forth to open up the first set before senior Sophia Terwilleger recorded back-to-back-to-back aces to pull the Vikings away for good. Augustana would finish set one on a 10-3 run to secure the first set of the day.
The Vikings would use a series of 6-1 runs throughout the second set to grab a 21-14 lead late in the set. Augustana would keep off a late comeback attempt by the Javelinas to take set two 25-21 to keep the sweep alive.
With momentum on the Vikings side, Augustana would cruise in the third set and take the match with a 25-14 set victory. The Vikings jumped out to an early 4-0 lead and a kill by freshman Maddy Guetter started an 8-2 run by Augustana. The Vikings would finish the set on a 5-1 run to secure the set and match point.
Overall, the Vikings recorded 40 kills and had 11 aces compared to TAMKU's two aces. Freshman Avery Thorson had a team-high five aces while picking up 26 assists and six kills. Terwilleger would finish with her three aces and gather 11 digs. Guetter would finish with a team-high 11 kills to give her four double-digit kills in the five matches she's played.
On the defensive side, freshman Erika Bute continues to shine in the libero position grabbing a team-high 20 digs.
Westminster
Augustana took home its second win of the day with a 3-1 win over the Griffins Friday night in Texas.
The Vikings came out firing on all cylinders in the first set, running away with the 25-6 win. Augie would hit home 18 kills and gathered 17 assists in the first frame.
Westminster fought back in the second set and eventually came away with the 25-22 set two victory to tie things up at one a-piece.
Augustana hit its stride late in the third set winning 25-17 after scoring the last five points, including back-to-back aces from sophomore Grace Haberland to close out the set.
The Vikings proved to be too much for the Griffins as they took the fourth and final set 25-12. Augustana took advantage of two big runs in the middle of the set to pull away late in the match.
The win gives the Vikings a record of 4-0 on Fridays. Bute led both teams with 36 digs and recorded five assists. Thorson recorded her third double-double of the season with 42 assists, 14 digs and added eight kills.
Haberland finished with 13 kills, one shy of her career-high of 14, and records her third double-double of the season after compiling 16 digs. Sophomore Izzy Sommers recorded 11 kills on a .321 hitting percentage.
Overall, the Vikings had 59 kills compared to the Griffins 31. Augustana also finished with seven aces, 53 assists and 101 digs.
Quotable
"It was a great first day of the tournament," head coach Jennifer Jacobs said. "I am very happy with our passing and our control of matches. After a long travel day, it was great to see us come out composed and ready to play at a high level. We are ready for day two!"
Up Next
The Vikings will finish up play in Texas against St. Edward's at 3 p.m. and St. Mary's at 7:30 p.m.
For more information on Augustana Volleyball, stay tuned to GoAugie.com and follow @AugieVolleyball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
--GoAugie.com--