WAYNE, Neb. -- The Augustana volleyball team fell 3-0 (25-16, 25-18, 25-20, 25-17) to Wayne State inside the Rice Auditorium on Wednesday night. The Vikings are now 13-9 (8-6 NSIC) while the Wildcats, ranked No. 11 in the nation, move to 18-4 (11-3).

After falling in the first two sets, the Vikings went into the third set with determination.

An ace from junior Maddy Guetter gave Augustana a 2-1 lead in the third set, a lead the Vikings would not lose.

Augustana's hitting was the deciding factor in the third set as the Vikings would accumulate 18 kills, hitting .417.

A trio of Vikings accounted for 16 of Augustana's 18 kills in the third set, with Guetter and senior Payton Rosendahl both having six, while junior Kate Reimann accounted for four.

Augustana's hot hand was too much for the Wildcats, as the Vikings took set three, 25-20 with Rosendahl delivering the final kill.

A 5-0 start in the fourth set for the Wildcats was too much for the Vikings to counter, as Wayne State pulled away down the stretch to take the fourth set 25-17, to win the match 3-1.

Three Vikings had double-digit kills led by Guetter with 12, Rosendahl accumulated 11 and Reimann had 10.

Senior Avery Thorson led the Vikings with 40 assists, also garnering 12 digs, while junior Erika Bute led Augustana with 22 digs.

The Wildcats were led by Jazlin DeHaan with 22 kills, Rachel Walker with 48 assists and Kelse Cada with 22 digs.

The Vikings return to the Elmen Center Saturday afternoon hosting crosstown foe Sioux Falls for its Dig Pink match, slated for a 5 p.m. start.

--GoAugie.com--