BOXSCORE NORTHFIELD, Minn. -- The Augsburg College volleyball team competed in its first match since being ranked No. 21 in the recent American Volleyball Coaches Association Division III national poll, and the Auggies didn't disappoint. The Auggies (14-2 overall, 3-0 MIAC) defeated St. Olaf Wednesday night in Northfield, completing their third sweep in as many Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference matches, winning 25-14, 25-23, 25-15.

Augsburg claimed its 10th match victory in a row and fourth straight win by a three-set sweep. The sweep was Augsburg's 11th in its 14 wins this season and ninth in its last 10 matches. Augsburg now has a 45-9 record in its 54 sets this season.

The Oles (6-9 overall, 1-2 MIAC) dropped the first set, 25-14, but in the second set St. Olaf led 14-13 before the Auggies rattled off seven straight points to take the lead 20-14. The Oles battled back and took the lead at 23-22, but a service ace by Taylor Trautman (FY, Hutchinson, Minn./Hutchinson HS) and two Ole attacking errors gave Augsburg the 25-23 win. In the third set, St. Olaf jumped out to a quick 5-1 lead, but the Auggies were too much for the Oles to handle and finished strong, winning 25-15.

Ashley Peper (SO, Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson HS) led Augsburg with a match-high 13 kills, nine digs, five blocks (three solo) and three assists, while Colleen Ourada (SR, Omaha, Neb./Mercy HS) finished with 10 kills and also had nine digs and two service aces in the match. Trautman led the Auggies in hitting percentage with .316 in her nine kills, and also picked up three blocks (one solo), three digs and an ace. 

Emily McCourt (SR, Sun Prairie, Wis.) continued her strong play as the Auggie setter with a match-best 33 assists, five digs and an ace, while Mackensie Menke (JR, Prior Lake, Minn/Shakopee HS) led the team in digs with 11, while also chipping in two aces. 

Others contributing for Augsburg were Katelyn Berens (SR, Jordan, Minn./Prior Lake HS) with seven digs and a service ace, while Jaelyn Arndt (FY, Osage, Iowa/Minneapolis Washburn HS) and Jessica Lillquist (SO, Seeka, Minn./Sebeka HS) chipped in five and three kills respectively. 

The Oles were led by Kelly Heissel with eight kills, seven digs, and one solo block. Kersten Bork contributed 20 assists, seven digs, a kill and a solo block as well. 

The Auggies return to action this Saturday (9/28) when they host Hamline University at 5 p.m. in Si Melby Hall for Homecoming.