In the opening match of Homecoming weekend, the #10 University of Minnesota Duluth fell to Augustana University in a five set thriller in the third week of Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) play.

Set One: UMD (24) - AU (26)

The Bulldogs got off to a slow start here in the first set, giving up six of the first ten points of the match. UMD would take back some momentum, stringing together the next three straight points. The two teams would continue to trade blows back and forth until the Bulldogs would only trail by three, going into the end of the set down 23-20. UMD would put together the next four points bringing it to set point, but would go on to give up three straight points in return to give the Vikings the first set 24-26.

Set Two: UMD (23) - AU (25)

Set Two of the match would prove to share a similar story to the first with UMD giving up the first few points to start off. Senior defensive specialist Kaylyn Madison would lay down back to back service aces in a string of three points to help the Dogs claw their way back into it, cutting the Viking lead down to three. UMD would again make a push towards the end putting together another four point series towards the end of the set to bring the score to 23-24, and again lose the edge and give up the set on an attack error.

Set Three: UMD (25) - AU (21)

The Bulldogs flip the script in set three, taking the first three points of the set for themselves. They would keep the points closer throughout the set, never letting the Vikings lead by more than three points at a time before taking the lead back with a string of four points, highlighted by a solo block and kill from junior right side Samantha Paulsen. The Dogs would hold onto their lead, trading points back and forth with the Vikings and taking the set 25-21.

Set Four: UMD (25) - AU (16)

Despite losing the opening point, a flurry of errors would prove to be the downfall of the Vikings in this fourth set. AU would go on to make 10 attack errors and two service errors throughout the set compared to UMD's four attack errors and zero service errors. Multiple UMD strings of three or more points would bring on a quick ending to the set at 25-16.

Set Five: UMD (12) - AU (15)

The Bulldogs throughout set five would struggle to match the offensive consistency that they showed through the two previous sets, only matching every three Vikings points with two of their own and falling to an early deficit. Three service aces and two less attack errors from AU would prove to be too much for the Bulldogs to overcome, falling in the final set 12-15.

Top Performers

Despite the hard fought, graduate student center and team captain Madison Gordon would continue to shine and post a double double with 52 assists and 32 digs. Senior outside hitter Cianna Selbitschka would lead the match with 18 total kills, and fifth year middle blocker Hope Schjenken would lead players with multiple attack attempts in hitting percentage with a .387 while also racking up 17 kills.

Up Next

UMD Volleyball (10-3, 3-2 NSIC) takes on #1 Wayne State (13-1, 4-0 NSIC) tomorrow in Romano Gym for their second match of the weekend. The action looks to kick off at 4 PM.