MATCH BOXES:
AUGSBURG VS WARTBURG
AUGSBURG VS LORAS
AUGSBURG VS ST. SCHOLASTICA
AUGSBURG VS WISCONSIN-STOUT
SUGAR LOAF CLASSIC STATISTICS
SUGAR LOAF CLASSIC WEBSITE
WINONA, Minn. -- The Augsburg College volleyball team defeated St. Scholastica and Wisconsin-Stout at the Sugar Loaf Classic hosted by St. Mary's University on Saturday to finish the event with a record of 3-1. The Auggies beat Wartburg Friday afternoon, before falling to Loras College (Iowa) later in the evening. With the three vicories, the Auggies pushed their season record to 5-2.
As a team, Augsburg recorded the second-highest hitting percentage (.225) and second-most service aces (26) of the eight teams that participated in the event. Katie Christensen (SR, North Mankato, Minn./Mankato West HS) was selected to the All-Tournament Team at the conclusion of the event.
Augsburg 3, Wartburg 0 (25-23, 25-14, 29-27)
In a match against preseason IIAC favorite Wartburg, Augsburg rolled to a three-set victory behind a balanced scoring attack. The Auggies were led by outside hitters Christensen and Colleen Ourada (FY, Omaha, Neb./Mercy HS) with nine kills apeice in the match. Ourada had a team-high .529 hitting percentage, while Christensen chipped in with 12 digs.
Denielle Johnson (SR, Blaine, Minn./Spring Lake Park HS) had a team-high 20 assists, while teammate Jessica Hilk (SR, Waconia, Minn./Mayer Lutheran HS) led the Auggies with 13 digs. Emily McCourt (FY, Sun Prairie, Wis.) finished the match with a team-high four service aces, and chipped in with 14 assists.
Loras 3, Augsburg 1 (11-25, 25-16, 15-25, 22-25)
Despite a team-high 14 kills from Christensen and a career-high six kills from Micha Sater (SO, Fridley, Minn/Centennial HS) the Auggies dropped a four-set match with IIAC member Loras. The Duhawks recorded 74 digs as a team in the contest.
Augsburg defensive specialist Katelyn Berens (FY, Jordan, Minn./Prior Lake HS) recorded a season-high 10 digs in the losing effort.
Augsburg 3, St. Scholastica 2 (9-25, 25-19, 25-23, 20-25, 15-10)
In a rematch between the two teams from earlier in the week, the Auggies came out on top in a hard fought, five-set match against the Saints. After dropping the first set, Augsburg rallied to win sets two, three and five to claim the win.
Amanda Unze (SO, Chanhassen, Minn./Chaska HS) played her best game of the season and led the Auggies with a team-high 15 kills. Christensen continued her solid play with 12 kills, 10 digs, and two service aces.
Jamila Lee (SO, Richfield, Minn.) added a season high seven kills and four block assists in the win, while McCourt recorded 28 assists.
Augsburg 3, Wisconsin-Stout 0 (25-10, 25-20, 25-16)
Augsburg finished the Sugar Loaf Classic in style, cruising to a straight sets victory over the Blue Devils. Christensen wrapped up an outstanding tournament with 10 kills to led the Auggie offensive attack once again, while Unze chipped in with five kills in the teams final game of the event. Christensen's 45 kills ranked as the seventh-highest total recorded in the event, while Unze had the second highest hitting percentage (.347) in the event.
Lauren Butler (SO, Burnsville, Minn.) Nikolene Miller (SO, Tomahawk, Wis.) and Lee all recorded five kills apeice to aid the Auggie offensive attack.
McCourt added a team high 20 set assists in the win, while Johnson recorded 12 assists and seven digs. McCourt recorded 76 set assists over the weekend, which ranked as the fourth-highest total of any player participating in the event, while her nine service aces were tied for an event best.
The Auggies return to action on Wednesday (9/8) at Wisconsin-River Falls in a non-conference game, before hosting their annual eight-team Augsburg Invitational next Friday and Saturday (9/10-11).
