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BOXSCORE

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Augsburg College volleyball team dropped a four-set match to the College of Saint Benedict (32-30, 25-22, 23-25, 25-15) in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play on Wednesday evening at Si Melby Hall.

The first set featured a total of 15 ties and eight lead changes between the two teams. The Auggies (5-5 overall, 0-1 MIAC) had four set-point chances late in the first game, but were unable to put the Blazers (5-5 overall, 1-0 MIAC) away for good, as St. Benedict pulled out an exciting 32-30 win.

After dropping the second set 25-22, Augsburg rallied to win the third set 25-23 behind the solid back-row play of Katelyn Berens (SO, Jordan, Minn./Prior Lake HS) Amy Jo Opsal (SR, North Mankato, Minn./St. Clair HS) and Mackensie Menke (FY, Prior Lake, Minn./Shakopee HS). Berens, who had numerous game-saving digs in game three, recorded seven digs in the set, while Opsal and Menke added five each. 

St. Benedict jumped out to an early lead in the fourth and final set and never looked back en route to a 25-15 win.

For Augsburg, outside hitter Colleen Ourada (SO, Omaha, Neb./Mercy HS) recorded a team-high 13 kills and hitting percentage of .312 in the match. Joing Ourada on the offensive attack were Jamila Lee (JR, Richfield, Minn.) and Nikolene Miller (JR, Tomahawk, Wis.). Lee added 10 kills and three blocks for Augsburg, while Miller recorded nine kills and two blocks.

Micha Sater (JR, Fridley, Minn./Centennial HS) and Tabby Roh (FY, La Crosse, Wis./Central HS) recorded seven kills each for Augsburg, while setter Emily McCourt (SO, Sun Prairie, Wis.) recorded 51 assists, six digs, four kills and three aces. The 51 assists marks a season-high for McCourt in 2011.

Berens recored a team high 24 digs in the match, while Opsal added 16 and Menke 11 each.

For St. Benedict, setter Taya Kockelman (FY, Minneota, Minn.) recorded 34 assists along with nine digs, six kills, and four blocks, while Alexa Rinde (FY, Minnetonka, Minn./Orono) recorded 14 kills. Defensive specialist Chelsea Rachel (SO, Maple Lake, Minn.) recorded a team-high 27 digs.

Augsburg returns to action Saturday (9/17) at home against Saint Mary's University. The match is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. and will have a live video webcast available online.