SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Augustana volleyball will hit the road for Nampa, Idaho to compete in the NNU Nighthawk Invitational, hosted by Northwest Nazarene, from Thursday to Saturday. The first match against the host school is set for 3 p.m. on Thursday while Westminster at 10 a.m. and Biola at 5:30 p.m. are on tap for Friday. The weekend will wrap up with Colorado School of Mines at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday.
 
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 Lineup
Thursday will mark the third-ever matchup between Northwest Nazarene and Augustana, with the Nighthawks having won the previous games, including the last contest on Sept. 5, 2014. The Vikings will face the Westminster Griffins for just the second time in program history, following a 3-1 victory at the last meeting before facing off against Biola for the first time ever. Saturday features the third time Colorado School of Mines and Augustana are paired up, with the teams having split the previous matches.  
 
Northwest Nazarene
The Nighthawks are currently 1-3 on the season after opening at the Golden Eagle Classic and defeating Ursuline College but falling to Azusa Pacific, Concordia and Colorado Christian. Abby Black currently leads the attack with 37 total kills as Maren Machado sits with 43 digs and eight aces. NNU was selected to finish seventh in the GNAC preseason poll.
 
Westminster
Following competition at the TAMUK Invitational, the Griffins are currently 2-2 on the season with victories over Southern Nazarene and Missouri Southern and losses against Texas A&M University-Kingsville and Minnesota Duluth. Claire Cook has tallied 41 kills so far alongside 45 digs from Alanna Lee. In the 2024 RMAC preseason poll, Westminster was picked 10^th.
 
Biola
The Eagles enter the weekend with a 1-3 record following an appearance at the Yotes Classic Showcase. They defeated Seattle Pacific and fell to Cal Poly Pomona, CSU San Bernardino and CSU Los Angeles. Madison Moore totaled 37 kills with 29 digs over the weekend as Lexi Lambert added 85 assists and 29 digs. Biola finished fourth in the PacWest preseason poll.
 
Colorado School of Mines
The RMAC preseason sixth-pick Orediggers opened the season with a 3-1 victory over Concord before falling in the next three games of the Oredigger Volleyball Classic. The attack was led by Hannah Kinnison's 45 kills alongside 42 digs over the weekend.
 
The Vikings 
Augustana looks to bounce back in Idaho following a 3-1 loss to Alaska Anchorage at the Augustana Classic. Brooke Berens tallied 47 kills on 2.94 kills a set to lead the team's offense, including a career-high performance of 14 kills against Alaska Anchorage.
 
Maya Wente added in 42 kills off a hitting clip of .348 as Lucy Bartee dished out 172 assists with eight aces over the weekend's four-game stretch. For their performances, these three Vikings were named to the Augustana Volleyball Classic All-Tournament team.
 
Sydney Tims chipped in 21 total blocks as Gabby Jones added 57 digs to support the defense.
 
Looking Ahead
Augustana will begin NSIC competition next week with scheduled contests against UMary in Bismarck on Sept. 20 and at Minot State on Sept. 21.