BOXSCORE ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Nikolene Miller (SR, Tomahawk, Wis.) and Ashley Peper (FY, Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson HS) combined for 30 kills and six blocks, but the Augsburg College volleyball team dropped a hard-fought, five-set match (20-25, 25-17, 25-23, 21-25, 15-10) to St. Catherine University in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play on Wednesday evening at the Butler Center.

Trailing by a 2-1 margin heading into the fourth set, the Auggies (10-6 overall, 2-1 MIAC) never trailed en route to a 25-21 win to force a decisive fifth set. After jumping out to a quick 3-2 lead early in the fifth set, Augsburg was unable to maintain the momentum as the Wildcats (8-8 overall, 2-2 MIAC) pulled away late to earn a 15-10 win and match victory.

Peper led the Auggies with 16 kills, while also adding 10 digs to record her sixth double-double of the season. Miller added a career-high 14 kills to go along with a team-high four blocks, while teammate Micah Sater (SR, Fridley, Minn./Centennial HS) recorded nine kills, five digs and two blocks for the Auggies.

Emily McCourt (JR, Sun Prairie, Wis.) claimed a match-best 50 assists, while also recording eight digs, four kills and three service aces in the match. This marks the fifth time McCourt has surpassed the 50 assist mark during her career at Augsburg.

Defensive specialist Emma Sievers (SO, St. Paul, Minn./Cretin Derham Hall) led Augsburg with 21 digs, while teammate Mackenzie Menke (SO, Prior Lake, Minn./Shakopee HS) added 14 digs.

The Auggies return to action with a home match against conference rival Gustavus Adolphus this Saturday (9/29) at 5 p.m. at Si Melby Hall.