BOXSCORE

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Augsburg College volleyball team claimed another five-set thriller with a 3-2 (25-23, 25-16, 15-25, 20-25, 15-13) victory over Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action on Friday night at Si Melby Hall. With the win, the Auggies move to 10-6 overall and remain unbeaten in MIAC play. With the loss, the Gusties fall to 8-6 overall and 1-2 in the conference. The win for Augsburg represents its first win over Gustavus since a 3-2 victory on Sept. 26, 2001.

Augsburg was led offensively by Katie Christensen (JR, North Mankato, Minn./Mankato West HS), Amanda Unze (FY, Chanhassen, Minn./Chaska HS) and Barbara Simmons (SR, Minneapolis, Minn./South HS), who recorded 14, 13 and 12 kills respectively.

Setter Shanna Reed (SR, Eagan, Minn./Holy Angels HS) had a fantastic night for the Auggies, posting a double-double on the evening with 50 assists and 10 digs, while tying a career-high with six service aces. Libero Dani Tanaka (SR, Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson HS) led all players with 35 digs, while Jessica Hilk (Waconia, Minn./Mayer Lutheran HS) chipped in 16. Simmons led all players with five blocks (two solo), while Unze and Kori Yule (Medford, Minn.) added four blocks each.

Gustavus was led by Meghan Gehring and Olicia Warren, who each finished the night with 13 kills. Malea Noenning finished with 48 assists and Erin Sherman led five Gusties in double-digit digs with 28.

The Auggies began the first set with a 4-0 lead, but were not able to hold off the Gustie attack as they fought back to tie things up at 13-13. Despite the score being close set for the remainder of the set, Augsburg never gave up the lead and used five kills from Christensen and Unze to claim the close 25-23 first set win.

In the second set, Augsburg jumped out to a quick lead and never looked back. Augsburg held Gustavus to a negative hitting percentage (-.081) and cruised to a 25-16 victory.

The third set proved to be the exact opposite of the second, as it was Gustavus that took an early lead and ran away with the 25-15 win.

In the fourth set, despite being tied at 15-15 and again at 20-20, Augsburg failed to convert offensively down the stretch. Gustavus scored the final five points of the set, claiming the 25-20 fourth-set win.

The fifth set proved to be an absolute thriller that went down to the wire. Augsburg was up 7-6 before a serving run by Gustavus' Jenny Ewert allowed the Gusties to take a 10-8 lead. The Auggies capitalized on two Gustavus hitting errors and tied things up at 12-12. The Auggie hitters peaked at the right time as kills from Simmons, Christensen and Unze sealed the 15-13, deciding win for the Auggies.

Augsburg returns to action on Wednesday (9/30) at 7 p.m., when it travels to the College of St. Benedict. Gustavus also returns to action on Wednesday (9/30) when it hosts St. Olaf College in MIAC action.