BOXSCORE

MINNEAPOLIS -- Despite a match-high 16 kills from Katie Christensen (JR, North Mankato, Minn./Mankato West HS), the Auggies fell to St. Catherine University in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action on Wednesday night at Augsburg's Si Melby Hall.

For the match, Augsburg was led offensively by Christensen with 16 kills and Amanda Unze (FY, Chanhassen, Minn./Chaska HS) with 11. Defensively, Dani Tanaka (SR, Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson HS) led all players with 24 digs, while setter Shanna Reed (SR, Eagan, Minn./Holy Angels HS) posted 41 assists.

St. Kate's was led offensively by the duo of Maria Hoffman and Racquel Reker, who each posted 12 kills on the night. Hoffman also led the Wildcats defensively with 18 digs, posting a kill-dig double-double on the night.

Augsburg began the opening set of the night with a kill from Christensen to take the early lead. The Wildcats countered by putting together two small runs, which gave them an 11-6 advantage. Augsburg cut the St. Kate's lead to two at 14-12 but wasn't able to get any closer as the Wildcats went on to take a 25-16 first set win.

St. Kate's jumped out to an 11-3 lead to start the second set before the Auggies could regroup and put together a run of their own. Augsburg cut the St. Kate's lead to 16-15 and battled for the remainder of the set, forcing a Wildcat timeout at 23-21. St. Kate's came up with two big kills down the stretch to hang on for the 25-22 win.

The third set turned out to be a battle with 11 tied scores and two lead changes. Both teams were tied up at 22-22, but two Auggie miscues down the stretch allowed for St. Kate's to hold on for the 25-22 deciding third set win.

Augsburg returns to action on Friday (10/23) when they travel to Arden Hills to take on MIAC foe Bethel University, in a key matchup for the Auggies in their quest for an MIAC playoff spot.