ST. JOSEPH, Minn. -- Morgan Malley (JR, Harmony, Minn./Fillmore Central HS) led the Augsburg University volleyball team in a hard-fought 3-2 loss to the College of Saint Benedict in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference semifinal action on Thursday evening at Claire Lynch Hall.
MATCH BASICS
FINAL SCORE: St. Benedict def. Augsburg 3-2 (25-16, 20-25, 25-22, 23-25, 15-8)
LOCATION: Claire Lynch Hall, St. Joseph, Minn.
RECORDS: Augsburg 19-12 overall, Saint Benedict 18-8 overall
HOW IT HAPPENED
• After dropping the first set, the Auggies rallied back to take the second set. In the third set, Augsburg was up 20-15 but couldn't hang on for the win. The Auggies were able to score four of the last five points to claim the fourth set victory and force the decisive fifth set. Unfortunately for Augsburg, St. Ben's jumped out to a 6-2 in the fifth and the Auggies couldn't recover.
• Malley led Augsburg with a 41-assist, 23-dig, six block and six kill effort. For the second consecutive game, Malley posted a career-best dig effort, finishing with 23 on the night. She now has 17 assist-dig double-doubles on the year and 27 in her career.
• Co-MIAC defensive player of the year Macey Terhell (JR, Osceola, Wis./Osceola HS), posted a team-best 26 digs to go along with eight assists.
• Offensively, Augsburg was led by Corrina Evans (FY, Blaine, Minn./Blaine HS), who posted 14 kills on 39 attempts, hitting a team best .282. Evans also posted a team-best seven blocks (one solo), while adding four digs.
• Megan Quam (SO, Kenyon, Minn./Kenyon-Wanamingo HS) and
Jordan Weeding (SR, Greenfield, Minn./Rockford HS), recorded 12 and 11 kills respectively.
• Defensively,
Taylor Linn (SR, Shoreview, Minn./Mounds View HS) picked up 17 digs, to go along with nine kills and two blocks, while Stephanie Hechsel (JR, Apple Valley, Minn./Apple Valley HS) and Tayah Barnes (FY, Preston, Minn./Fillmore Central HS) added 14 and 13 digs respectively to go along with three service aces apiece.
FOR THE FOES
• Haley LaValle had an outstanding performance for the Blazers, picking up a match-best 31 digs to go along with seven assists.
• Liz Schultz and Hunter Weiss posted 17 and 15 kills respectively to lead Saint Benedict.
