CROOKSTON, Minn. -- The Augustana volleyball team started its final road weekend with a sweep against Minnesota Crookston 3-0 (25-22, 25-12, 25-17) inside the Lysaker Gymnasium on Friday night. With the road win, the Vikings improve to 16-9 on the season and 11-6 within the conference while the Golden Eagles fall to 1-21 and 0-17 in the NSIC.
The first set had four lead changes and five ties in a set where Augustana would gain control after a kill by junior Kate Reimann gave the Vikings a one-point lead at 16-15.
Augustana would sustain at least a three-point lead for the remainder of the set, with two service aces, first from senior Kelsey Ruff then Grace Haberland, coming at 19-15 and 21-17, respectively.
Junior Kia Kriener sent home the final kill of set one to grant the Vikings a 1-0 lead, at 25-22.
The Vikings were quick on the draw in the second set, jumping out to a 4-0 start highlighted by a kill from Kriener and two service aces by senior Avery Thorson.
A kill-streak by the Vikings would add to the lead making it 11-6.
Junior Piper Asche was the first Viking to garner a kill during the run with Haberland and Kriener also joining in.
Five of the last eight points were kills by Augustana with both freshman Jolie Stecher and Reimann accounting for two and senior Payton Rosendahl also putting one away.
An ace by Stecher was the decider in the second set, increasing the Viking's chances of a sweep, 25-12.
The Golden Eagles hung with the Vikings in the third set, only being one point down at the 8-7 mark.
A five-point Viking spurt highlighted by two kills from Kriener and an additional kill from Thorson made it a math problem for the Golden Eagles, down 13-7.
Kriener, having the hot hand, would have four additional kills during the third set, accumulating three straight to convert the sweep, winning the third set 25-17. Her final kill of the evening also elevated Thorson to her 3,000th career assist as a Viking.
Kriener had a breakout match having 12 kills, a new career-high while holding a .364 hitting percentage.
The Vikings were led by Kriener with 12 kills, Thorson dishing out 36 assists and junior Erika Bute garnering 11 digs.
The Golden Eagles were led by Lauren Wallace with eight kills, Natalie Koke having 20 assists and Layne Whaley with eight digs.
Up Next
The Vikings road trip is not completed as Augustana will travel to Bemidji, Minn. to face the Beavers Saturday, slated for a 1 p.m. start.
--GoAugie.com--
