MATCH BOXSCORE
PHOTO GALLERY

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Despite a team-high nine kills from Nikolene Miller (SO, Tomahawk, Wis.) the Augsburg College volleyball team could not overcome a strong performance from St. Catherine University on Saturday afternoon in a crucial Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference match.

Despite the loss, Augsburg (15-13 overall, 5-5 MIAC) remains in the hunt to clinch its second consecutive berth into the MIAC postseason tournament. The Auggies currently sit alone in sixth place and are a half-game ahead of St. Catherine (7-19, 4-5 MIAC) for the final MIAC postseason playoff spot.

The Wildcats got off to a quick start in the match, running out to a big lead on their way to a 25-18 win in the first set. Augsburg responded quickly, winning the second set 25-9, but could not overcome a strong service game from the Wildcats in the final two sets of the match. St. Catherine recorded 14 aces in the match compared to seven for Augsburg.

Joining Miller on the offensive attack for Augsburg were Katie Christensen (SR, North Mankato, Minn./Mankato West HS), Amanda Unze (SO, Chanhassen, Minn./Chaska HS) and Jamila Lee (SO, Richfield, Minn.) Christensen recorded eight kills, while Unze and Lee added seven each. Lee added three blocks, while Unze and Miller had two blocks each. Colleen Ourada (FY, Omaha, Neb./Mercy HS) also had three blocks for the Auggies.

Setter Emily McCourt (FY, Sun Prairie, Wis.) recorded 30 assists and three aces in the match, while defensive specialist Jessica Hilk (SR, Waconia, Minn./Mayer Lutheran HS) added a team-high 15 digs.

Stephanie Meschke and Brittni Wangerin led the Wildcat offensive attack, recording nine kills each in the match. Wangerin had 12 digs and Meschke had 10 digs. Nicole Neumann had 23 digs.

The Auggies play their final MIAC contest of the season on Wednesday (10/27) at 7 p.m. at Concordia-Moorhead. An Augsburg win or two St. Catherine losses will secure the Auggies a top-six finish and berth into the conference postseason tournament.