SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Augustana volleyball battled Northern State on Saturday afternoon, ultimately dropping a five-set heartbreaker 20-25, 25-23, 25-17, 20-25, 8-15 at the Elmen Center.
 
The Vikings fall to 7-6 on the year with a 3-1 conference record while the Wolves move to 10-2 overall and a 2-2 NSIC showing.
 
Augustana was anchored by two double-double performances from Reagan Jansen—16 kills and 20 digs—and Jolie Stecher—15 kills and 18 digs. Maya Wente and Brooke Berens each added double-digit figures with 14 kills and 10 kills, respectively, while Gabby Jones collected 19 digs.
 
Lucy Bartee dished 51 assists alongside nine digs and four kills as Stecher and Ellie Walker added two service aces apiece.
 
AU held the advantage over NSU in kills (66-63), assists (60-55) and digs (81-75). The team also tallied four service aces and seven total blocks.
 
Set one started with a 9-4 Augustana advantage until four straight points and a block from Northern State tied it up at 11 apiece. The teams would tie four more times throughout the set, including 4-0 run from the Vikings to make it 19-19. But the Wolves would take the final five points of the set, 25-20.
 
NSU scored the opening point of the second and would only hold the lead twice more throughout the set. The Vikings went up four early off a kill from Stecher and again at 15-11 courtesy of Bartee. Northern State regained the lead at 18-17 and later at 22-21 but kills from Jansen and Sydney Tims closed it 25-23.
 
It was all Augustana in set three, as the Vikings slammed down 19 kills, including back-to-back-to-back rockets from Jansen to take the 15-9 lead. Berens joined in and added two more to push it to a 23-13 difference. NSU attempted to rally late but Jansen cut off the momentum to take the third 25-17.
 
Despite being down four to set the fourth set, Northern State clawed back to make it a one-point game and eventually take control at 15-14. The Vikings battled through the Wolves' strong serving and block to keep the advantage and stay within striking distance, but the final five points would go to NSU to force at fifth.
 
That momentum would carry into the fifth set as Northern State exploded to an 8-2 lead at the midway point. Augustana saw themselves down 13-4 and rattled off kills from Tims and Berens, but the set would go to the Wolves 15-8.
 
Looking Ahead
Augustana will hit the road for Bemidji State on Friday, Oct. 4 at 6 p.m. and Minnesota Crookston at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct 5.