SIOUX FALLS, S.D.-- The Augustana volleyball continues NSIC action, first at Winona State at 6 p.m., on Thursday before hosting Minnesota State for Viking Days and Alumni Day on Saturday at 5 p.m., inside the Elmen Center.
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 Augustana community is invited to the Brew Pub — hosted by JJ's Wine, Spirits & Cigars — at the Elmen Center on Saturday, Sept. 23. The pub will be available in between the Viking Football and Volleyball matches. Food, such as pulled pork nachos and corn dogs, will be available for purchase in the concession area next to the Brew Pub.
The Warriors
Winona State received 21 votes in the AVCA poll this week and is 9-1 on the season after defeating Sioux Falls at home on Thursday and Minnesota State on the road on Saturday, both in four sets, to open conference play. Sidney Paulson leads the attack with 147 kills, while Rylee Vaughn ranks 58th in the nation with 178 digs. Jaci Winchell is the catalyst for the offense, ranking 19th in the country with 417 assists.
The Mavericks
Minnesota State enters the weekend 5-5 after opening NSIC play with a three set loss at SMSU on Thursday and a four set loss at home to Winona State on Saturday. The Mavericks face off against Concordia-St. Paul on Thursday at 2 p.m. before coming to Sioux Falls. MSU is paced by the 97 kills of Sophie Tietz and the 40 blocks of Kiya Durant, which is good for 61st in the country.
The Vikings
Augustana opened NSIC play on Saturday, falling to then-No. 1 ranked Concordia-St. Paul inside the Elmen Center. Kia Kriener led all players with 15 kills, while Erika Bute added three aces and 13 digs.
On the season, Kriener leads the Vikings with 123 kills, while freshman Reagan Jansen follows with 85 kills and 71 digs, both second on the team. Erika Bute leads the team with 166 digs, including 4.74 digs per set.
Lucy Bartee has put together an all-around contribution, adding 342 assists, 70 digs and 13 blocks. Kiylah Franke and Ellie Walker each lead the team with 13 service aces while adding 59 and 49 digs, respectively.
One Last Thing
Lucy Bartee's 9.77 assists per set are good for 35th in the country, while her 342 assists per set ranks 60th. Also in the top 50 is Erika Bute, ranking 48th with 4.74 digs per set.
Looking Ahead
The Vikings continue conference action on Friday, Sept. 29 at 5 p.m., at Minnesota Duluth before a matchup at St. Cloud State at 2 p.m., on Saturday, Sept. 30.
--GoAugie.com--
