BOXSCORE NORTHFIELD, Minn. -- Ashley Peper (FY, Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson HS) claimed a career-high 20 kills and added 10 digs, as the Augsburg College volleyball team picked up a key road win against Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference rival St. Olaf College in five sets (26-24, 18-25, 25-13, 20-25, 15-12) on Friday evening at the Skoglund Athletic Center.

With the win, Augsburg (14-10 overall, 4-4 MIAC) moves a half-game back of St. Olaf (9-20 overall, 5-4 MIAC) for the sixth and final MIAC postseason playoff spot. Augsburg has three conference matches remaining, while the Oles have two conference matches left on their schedule.

The drama started early, as the two teams battled back and forth through the first set. Trailing 24-23 late in the first set, the Auggies fought off a set-point opportunity for the Oles and won three consecutive points to win set one 26-24. After St. Olaf won set two 25-18, the Auggies won 19 out of the final 26 points in set three to win by a score of 25-13. The two teams traded points throughout the fourth set before St. Olaf pulled away late to earn the 25-20 win, forcing a fifth and decisive set. With the two teams tied at 12-12 late in the fifth set, the Auggies would go on to win the final three points in the set to earn a 15-12 win and match victory.

Peper, who currently ranks fifth in the conference in kills this season, also hit .304 and added three blocks (two solo) in addition to her match-best 20 kills. Micha Sater (SR, Fridley, Minn./Centennial HS) added 16 kills, along with four digs and one block for Augsburg, which claimed an 11-7 total blocks advantage over the Oles.

Nikolene Miller (SR, Tomahawk, Wis.) also reached double figures in kills with 13, while hitting a team best .473. Miller also added three blocks (two solo), while Lauren Butler (SR, Burnsville, Minn.) added four kills and a team-best 15 digs.

Emily McCourt (JR, Sun Prairie, Wis.) recorded 49 assists and a match-high three service aces, while defensive specialist Emma Sievers (SO, St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall) matched Butler with 15 digs. 

For St. Olaf, Katie Wolfram (SR, Woodinville, Wash./ Bear Creek) and Melissa Burch (SR, Lawrence, Kan./Free State) each recorded 15 kills, while setter Kersten Bork (FY, Sioux Falls, S.D./Lincoln) claimed a match-best 52 assists. 

The Auggies will return to action on Saturday (10/20) afternoon at 3 p.m., as they travel to Saint Paul, Minn. to take on No. 7-ranked University of St. Thomas at Schoenecker Arena.