Augustana takes five-set victory in Elmen Center opener

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Augustana) — The Augustana Viking volleyball team opened their Elmen Center schedule with a thrilling 25-21, 22-25, 25-22, 23-25, 15-13 win over MSU Moorhead on Friday night.

Maya Wente powered through with 16 kills while Jolie Stecher recorded a double-double with 13 kills and 14 digs. Regan Jansen added 12 kills to go with a pair of blocks.

Gabby Jones led a steady backline with 16 digs while chipping in seven assists to lead four Vikings with double-digit digs. Ellie Walker joined Jones and Stecher with 13 digs and Lucy Bartee added 11 and 46 assists. Sydney Tims had five blocks including a pair of solo blocks to pitch in at the net.

The Vikings scored the first four points of the match and led 11-6 in the early-going after a block from Tims and Brooke Berens . MSUM crept within 15-14, but a pair of Stecher kills and a block from Stecher and Tims grew the lead back to 18-14.

After an MSUM kill got them within three, Tims started another 3-0 mini-run to grow the lead to 21-15. The Dragons came within three at 23-20 late but Jansen and Wente each collected their fifth kill of the first set in the final three points to take set one.

The teams traded points to the tune of a 10-9 lead in favor of MSUM before a Berens kill catapulted a 3-0 lead to give AU a lead at 12-10. The Dragons stormed back with nine of the next 11 points and led 23-16 late. The Vikings charged back to get within 24-22 before a service error by AU evened the match at 1-1.

Another back and forth start came in the third set with the Dragons taking a 14-13 lead midway through. AU marched back with kills from Jansen and Wente before a Jansen ace, but the Dragons scored the next two points to tie the match at 17-17.

The Vikings put an end to the balance from there, taking advantage of an MSUM service error with a Jones ace and Bartee kill powering a 4-0 run to take a 21-17 lead. The Dragons wouldn’t quit, matching the Viking fight by getting within 24-22 but a service error put an end to the run and gave the Vikings a 2-1 lead.

In set four, the Vikings looked to be in the driver seat with a 23-20 lead but the final five points went to MSUM, forcing a fifth set.

The run looked to leak into the fifth set as the Dragons took a 6-2 lead. Five of the next six points went to the Vikings, capped by a Stecher kill to even the score at 7-7. Although the Dragons took an 8-7 lead into the midway point, AU looked to have found something as they scored three of the next four points to take a 10-9 lead.

MSUM hung around, reaching ties at 10, 11,12 and 13 points. Bartee gave the Vikings a lead at 14-13 and Tims closed the match with a block to give the Vikings a five-set victory.

The Vikings turn around for a Saturday afternoon affair against Northern State at the Elmen Center. First serve is scheduled for 2 p.m.

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