SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- The Augustana volleyball team defeated the Beavers of Bemidji State in three sets (25-13, 25-12, 25-18) in the Elmen Center on Saturday evening.
The Vikings move to a 12-4 record with a 4-4 record in NSIC play. The Beavers fall to a 3-13 record and are 2-6 in the loop.
Augustana came into set one on fire, hitting efficiently at the net and behind the service line. Senior Kia Kriener was the highlight for the Vikings in the opening set, delivering five aces to the Beavers in set one alone. To add to her stat line, Kriener hammered home three kills and 8 points to assist Augustana to its first set win of the night.
The Vikings turned it up a notch in set two opening the set with a 7-0 run to establish their dominance early. Senior Kate Reimann led the way for AU in the second set with six kills to add to her 11 kills on the night. Adding on to her impressive performance behind the service line, Kriener added one more ace as well as teammate senior Maddy Guetter with three of her own. The Vikings were able to expose the Beaver's attack errors to clinch their second set win of the match.
Set three was a cruise to the finish line for Augustana. Opened by a Beaver attack error followed by Kriener and Guetter kills the Vikings took hold of set two. The Beaver's were at Augustana's heels until a final 6-0 run pulled the Vikings ahead.
Overall, Augustana recorded 37 kills and had 12 aces compared to the Beavers 21 kills and two aces. Reimann led the way for the Vikings in kills with 11, while teammate Guetter hammered home 10 kills, four aces and 14.5 points. Kriener was closely behind her teammates with six kills, six aces, and 12.5 points to aid the AU offense.
On the defensive side, senior Erika Bute reigned in 12 digs with a perfect 1.000 reception on the night while adding on two aces of her own. Senior Avery Thorson put up four blocks, three kills and 28 assists keeping the Vikings at the forefront all night.
Quotable
"The team played great today and we can't complain about a 2-0 weekend," said head coach Jen Jacobs. "We're back in action on Tuesday vs Wayne State, it'll be a good match."
Up Next
The Vikings host the No. 1 Wildcats of Wayne State Tuesday evening at 6 p.m in the Elmen Center.
--GoAugie.com--
