MATCH BOXSCORE

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Augsburg College volleyball team inched closer to a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference postseason playoff berth, winning a thrilling five-set match (25-16, 25-21, 16-25, 17-25, 15-13) over Bethel University on Friday evening at Si Melby Hall.
 
With the win, Augsburg (15-12, 5-4 MIAC) is now a half-game behind St. Mary's University for fifth place in the conference standings. The loss dropped Bethel (11-15, 3-5) into a two-way tie for seventh place with St. Catherine. 

The Auggies jumped out to an early lead in the match, winning the first two sets 25-16 and 25-21, before Bethel responded by winning the third set. Augsburg took a 10-6 lead early in the fourth set, but could not hold off the Royals as Bethel pushed the match to a fifth and final set.   

Both teams traded leads in the fifth set, before Augsburg took a 13-12 lead late in the set. Setter Emily McCourt (FY, Sun Prairie, Wis.) recorded her eighth ace of the match to give Augsburg a match-point opportunity, which they would put away on the ensuing point.

Augsburg middle hitter Amanda Unze (SO, Chanhassen, Minn./Chaska HS) recorded a team-high 13 kills and a .360 hitting percentage to lead the Auggie offensive attack. Katie Christensen (SR, North Mankato, Minn./Mankato West HS) finished the final home match of her career with 11 kills, four digs and two blocks (one solo), while Colleen Ourada (FY, Omaha, Neb./Mercy HS) added 11 kills, 12 digs, four blocks (one solo) and one service ace.

Jamila Lee (SO, Richfield, Minn.) led all players with seven blocks, as Augsburg had 10 team blocks in the match. Jessica Hilk (SR, Waconia, Minn./Mayer Lutheran HS) recorded a team-high 19 digs in the match, while McCourt chipped in with 33 assists.

Bethel was paced by Caitie Helle, who had 16 kills, six digs and five blocks (one solo). Nicole Wriedt recorded 11 kills and three blocks, and Brianna Falck had 10 kills and eight digs. Valerie Smith had 20 digs to lead the Royals, and Katie Smith recorded 26 assists and four blocks. Betsy Naatjes had 18 assists and 13 digs for the Royals.

The Auggies return to action tomorrow afternoon in St. Paul against St. Catherine at 3 p.m. A win will clinch a top-six finish in the regular season standings for the second consecutive season for Augsburg.