MOORHEAD, Minn. – The Minnesota State Moorhead volleyball team battled until the final point Saturday afternoon, pushing Augustana to five sets before falling 3-2 (19-25, 25-21, 22-25, 25-16, 15-13) at Alex Nemzek Fieldhouse.
The Dragons delivered a strong performance in front of the home crowd, winning the first and third sets before the Vikings (15-8, 9-6 NSIC) rallied to take the final two frames and secure the match.
MSUM came out firing in the opening set, recording 15 kills while hitting .244 to claim a 25-19 victory. Augustana responded in the second, using a 16-kill effort to even the match with a 25-21 win.
The Dragons regained the advantage in the third set, putting together their most productive offensive frame with 18 kills. MSUM held off the Vikings for a 25-22 victory to move within one set of the match.
Augustana answered in the fourth, hitting an impressive .533 while recording 19 kills to force a decisive fifth set. The Dragons continued to battle in the finale, but the Vikings edged out a 15-13 victory to escape with the five-set win.
Maci Martini paced the Dragons with 11 kills and four service aces, while Raiah Mandell added 10 kills. Ava Wild contributed nine kills, and Brielle Riess and Leah Laqua each chipped in seven. Wild and Mya Pfeifer anchored the defense at the net with five blocks apiece.
MSUM also received a balanced effort at setter, with Madi Colby and Brooke Gillingham each recording 25 assists. Martini led the Dragons with 16 digs, while Gillingham added 14 and Ellie Keuseman finished with 12.
The Dragons made their mark from the service line, finishing with nine aces compared to two for Augustana. MSUM also held a 71-64 advantage in digs, but the Vikings finished with 71 kills and 13 blocks to help secure the victory.
Augustana was led by Maya Wente with 16 kills, while Reagan Jansen added 14 and Lucy Belisle contributed 13.
Up Next
MSUM (11-13, 4-11 NSIC) is back in action on Tuesday in a road tilt with nationally-ranked Minnesota Duluth. First serve is slated 6 p.m.
