SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Augustana volleyball opens its 2023 season in the Oredigger Classic in Golden, Colorado, hosted by Colorado School of Mines. The Vikings will face the University of Findlay Friday at 12 p.m. CDT. Later in the day, the Vikings take on Colorado Christian University at 5 p.m. CDT. Augustana opens the final day of the invitational Saturday at 10 a.m. against Pittsburg State before facing off against No. 21 Colorado Mesa at 3 p.m. CDT to close out the action in Golden.
Complete action can be followed on GoAugie.com/Live and the GoAugie app, presented by The Original Pancake House. The app can be downloaded in the App Store or Google Play.
The Matches
The Vikings will take on the Findlay Oilers for the second time in program history, with Augustana winning the lone matchup in three sets on Sept. 6, 2019. The Vikings and the Colorado Christian Cougars meet for the fifth time, with Augustana winning all four previous matchups after winning the most recent matchup in four sets on Sept. 5, 2014. That date was also the last time the Vikings matched up with Pitt State, a day that saw Augustana win in three sets to take a 4-1 series advantage. In two matchups between the Vikings and Colorado Mesa, the teams have split, with the Mavericks winning the most recent matchup on Sept. 3, 2010.
Findlay
The Oilers return five of their top six leaders in sets played from a squad that went 18-14 a season ago, including a 14-4 record in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference. Four of those five returners classify as sophomores or juniors, as UF relies on their youth to take the next step. UF was selected to finish second in the North Division of the G-MAC Preseason Poll, receiving four of 14 first-place votes. They also return a pair of All-G-MAC first team members in Alana Pohlman and Emma White.
Colorado Christian
The Cougars went 15-13 overall and 10-8 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference last season, including a victory over then-No. 16 Angelo State. They return their top six in sets played, including their kills leader, digs leader, and setter. CCU was selected to finish sixth in the RMAC Preseason Poll. Of their six top returners, four were All-RMAC contributors, including first-team outside hitter Libby Goodman, and second-team selections Izzy Jones and Lilly Woods.
Pitt State
The Gorillas return three of their top four leaders in kills from a squad that went 17-14 overall and 10-11 in the Mid-American Intercollegiate Conference in 2022. Pitt State reached the MIAA Conference Tournament, defeating Central Missouri in the quarterfinals before falling to Nebraska-Kearney in the semifinals. They were selected to finish sixth in the MIAA Preseason Poll and return a total of nine letterwinners, including All-MIAA second-teamer Janae Thurston.
Colorado Mesa
The No. 21-ranked Mavericks return six of eight top contributors while adding a pair of transfers to a team that went 22-7 overall and 15-3 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action in 2022, winning in the first round of the NCAA Regional Tournament before falling in five sets to MSU Denver in the regional semifinals. This season, CMU was selected to finish third in the RMAC Preseason Poll, receiving a single first-place vote. The Mavericks return three AVCA Honorable Mention All-Americans to their roster from last year in Sierra Hunt, Savannah Spitzer and Sabrina VanDeList. Two-time All-RMAC outside hitter Sydney Leffler also returns to the squad.
The Vikings
The Vikings return 13 student-athletes from last year's roster and welcome four newcomers to this year's team. In addition, Jennifer Jacobs returns for her seventh season. Among the 13 returning players, Erika Bute returns for her fifth season as the Vikings player to watch. More on Bute to follow.
"We are going to look a little different this year than we have in the past couple of years," said coach Jacobs. "While we graduated some major point makers, we have a slew of players ready to take their game to the court.
The Vikings return three student-athletes who played in every set a season ago, with Bute joined by Jolie Stecher (188 kills, 82 blocks) and Kia Kriener (289 kills, 259 digs, 76 blocks) as key contributors to return. Also back is Piper Asche, whose 89 blocks led the team last year while also delivering 160 kills.
Who to Watch For
The NSIC named graduate libero Erika Bute as the Vikings 2023 "Player to Watch."
Bute, a Alden, Minnesota, native returns to Augustana as the hailing 2022 NSIC Libero of the Year. Last season, Bute was named to the D2CCA All-Region Second Team while also being tabbed the NSIC Defensive Player of the Week four times. She enters this season after leading the NSIC in total digs and digs per set for eight consecutive weeks and while recording a career-best 44 digs in a single match.
"Erika has been a staple in our passing and offensive game the past four years," said Augustana volleyball head coach Jennifer Jacobs. "She is an incredibly smart athlete who is light on her feet and commands the court. Off the court, she is an exceptional human being.
"Erika is vice president of Augustana Athletics SAAC and played an integral role in putting on our Ole Awards, our department-wide celebration at the end of the year. She is one of those people and players who is irreplaceable, and we are excited she has decided to stay for this season."
Looking Ahead
The Vikings head to Denton, Texas, Sept. 7-9, for Denton Volleyfest, hosted by Texas Woman's University.
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