MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- The Augsburg University volleyball team defeated Bethel University 3-1 in the last regular-season match of the season on Saturday afternoon, claiming the No. 5 seed in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference playoffs.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Augsburg def. Bethel 3-1 (25-19, 25-15, 20-25, 25-18)
LOCATION: Si Melby Hall, Minneapolis, Minn.
RECORDS: Augsburg 21-7 overall (7-4 MIAC), Bethel 23-7 overall (7-4 MIAC)
HOW IT HAPPENED
• Augsburg had a balanced effort throughout the lineup, with four players finishing with double-digit kills and another four players ending with double-digit digs. The Auggies hit at an impressive .354 clip.
• On their senior night, the three Augsburg seniors played a significant role in the Auggies' victory.
Morgan Malley (SR, Harmony, Minn./Fillmore Central HS) had a season-best 55 assists, while also having 18 digs, six kills and a solo block.
Macey Terhell (SR, Osceola, Wis./Osceola HS) had a team-best 19 digs, also adding three assists.
Stephanie Hechsel (SR, Apple Valley, Minn./Apple Valley HS) claimed seven digs, three assists and a service ace.
• Both
Megan Quam (JR, Kenyon, Minn./Kenyon-Wanamingo HS) and
Maddie Nierengarten (SO, Foley, Minn./Princeton HS) had a season-best 14 kills. Quam hit at a .444 clip, while adding six digs and five block assists. Nierengarten added three block assists and a dig.
•
Kayla Gjerde (FY, Afton, Minn./Stillwater HS) claimed her fifth kill-dig double-double of the season, with 13 digs and 17 digs.
Corrina Evans (SO, Blaine, Minn./Blaine HS) also had 13 kills for the Auggies, hitting .464, also chipping in seven block assists -- tying her season-best -- and four digs.
• Cookii Shiongyaj (SO, St. Paul, Minn./Johnson HS) contributed 11 digs.
FOR THE FOES
• Tina Hoppe had a match-best 17 kills, also adding 10 digs for the Royals.
• Allie Fauth chipped in 26 digs, while Hannah Wilhite had 39 assists, 12 digs and four kills.
UP NEXT
• Augsburg will be the No. 5-seed in the upcoming MIAC postseason playoffs and will play a quarterfinal match at No. 4-seed Bethel on Tuesday (10/30) at 7 p.m. in Arden Hills, Minn. It is Augsburg's seventh MIAC playoff appearance in the last ten seasons.
