MATCH BOXSCORE

ST. PETER, Minn. -- The Augsburg College volleyball team returned to Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action, winning a five-set thriller at Gustavus Adolphus College on Wednesday evening (16-25, 25-21, 13-25, 28-26, 15-7).

Augsburg (9-8 overall, 2-2 MIAC) won the first match, before dropping sets two and three to the Gusties (4-9 overall, 1-3 MIAC). In one of the most exciting games of the season, Augsburg battled back and fended off a match point opportunity from Gustavus, before prevailing in the fourth set 28-26.

The Auggies jumped out to an early lead in the fifth set and were able to hold off a late Gustavus rally to secure their second consecutive conference road win of the season. The win marks the first time since 1999 that Augsburg has defeated Gustavus in St. Peter.

"I thought our girls showed a lot of heart tonight," said Augsburg head coach Jane Gibbs. "After a tough loss in game three, our team made a decision to fight on every point. By game five we had gained the momentum and didn't slow down until the match was over."

As a team, Augsburg recorded 51 kills in the match. Three separate Auggies recorded double-digit kill totals, led by Nikolene Miller (SO, Tomahawk, Wis.) and Colleen Ourada (FY, Omaha, Neb./Mercy HS) with 12 each, while Amanda Unze (SO, Chanhassen, Minn./Chaska HS) added 11.

Setter Emily McCourt (FY, Sun Prairie, Wis.) continued her solid play this season with 29 assists, 11 digs and 5 aces.

The Auggie defensive effort was led by Jessica Hilk (SR, Waconia, Minn./Mayer Lutheran HS), who recorded 21 digs in the contest, and Ourada who led the Auggies with a team-high five blocks.

Gustavus was led offensively by Dana Boerboom (FY, Cottonwood, Minn./ Lakeview HS) with 13 kills in the match.

Augsburg will take part in the MIAC/IAAC Border Battle this weekend at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, with their first match taking place on Friday (10/1) at 4 p.m. against Coe College (Iowa).