SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- The Augustana volleyball team defeated the Mavericks of Minnesota State in three sets (25-15, 25-20, 25-21) in Mankato, Minnesota, on Saturday afternoon.
The Vikings move to an 19-9 record with a 11-9 record in NSIC play. The Mavericks have fallen to a 6-22 record and are 5-15 in the loop. This win has secured the Vikings spot in the NSIC tournament next weekend in St. Paul Minn. The Vikings are set to play Friday Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m. against the No. 2 Wildcats of Wayne State.
Augustana cruised into set one opened by an early 3-1 lead to start off the match. The Mavericks responded with a handful of their own points to pull ahead following Viking attack errors. Augustana fought back, capitalizing on its efficient attack percentage and Maverick attack errors to go on a 9-0 run to pull far away with the lead. After a few traded points, a final Maverick attack error sent AU home with its first set win of the afternoon. Senior Maddy Guetter led both sides of the net in kills during the first set, totaling five kills and six points to aid the Vikings.
The Vikings opened the second set with a strong 3-0 lead with a kill by Guetter and two back-to-back kills by sophomore Jolie Stecher. The Vikings pulled ahead early bridging a gap as large as seven until the Mavericks gained momentum for a mid-set 6-0 run to tie the score at 17. AU took off at the tie going on its own 5-0 run highlighted by three Viking kills and two Maverick errors. A final three point run by the Vikings secured their second set win of the day.
Set three was a rallied battle where Augustana came out victorious. The Vikings and the Mavericks were neck-and-neck trading points back and forth tallying 10 tied scores and two lead changes in the third set alone. The Vikings snapped the Mavericks momentum by going on a late 6-0 run to pull ahead in the matches final points. An ace by senior Kate Reimann brought the Vikings within five from match point. Then a final kill by AU's Kia Kriener delivered the Vikings their third and final set win of the match.
Overall, Augustana recorded 42 kills and had four aces compared to the Mavericks 28 kills and five aces. Guetter led the way for the Vikings with 13 kills and 15.5 points. Reimann was close behind Guetter hammering down 10 kills and two aces to tally 12.5 points.
On the defensive side, senior Erika Bute reigned in 21 digs with a perfect 1.000 reception on the afternoon while adding on an ace of her own. Stecher led the Vikings in blocks with four to protect the Vikings court.
Up Next
The Vikings travel to St. Paul, Minn. to take on the No. 2 Wildcats of Wayne State on Friday, Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m. in the NSIC Tournament.
-- GoAugie.com --
