MANKATO, Minn. – Holly Hafemeyer smashed 17  kills to lead Augustana to a four-set upset over tenth-ranked Minnesota State.  The Vikings improve to 12-6 overall and 6-3 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference competition and the Mavericks drop to 12-5, 6-3 in NSIC action.

The last time Augustana beat a ranked team was in their five-set win over Wayne State last season on Sept. 27 on the Wildcats' home court.

This victory breaks a five-game losing streak the Vikings had against Minnesota State.

Jordan Spatenka and Taylor Hrdlichka each knocked down 12 kills and Hrdlichka hit .393 for the match.

Augustana led gained a lead at 3-2 and continually pulled away from the Mavericks for a 25-21 lead.  Minnesota State narrowed the margin to two at 21-19, but Augustana finished the set strong which has been difficult for the Vikings this year.

Hafemeyer drilled six kills in the first set and Marissa Johnson dished out 12 assists as the Vikings hit .290 as a team.

The second set was neck-and-neck until the end, but the Mavericks slowly created a lead and evened the match 1-1 with their 25-19 set win.  Augustana held a brief lead at 18-17 but Minnesota State closed the set on a 8-1 run.

Spatenka and Hrdlichka each knocked down four kills in the second set, but the Vikings were held to a .152 attack percentage.

Augustana led the Mavericks for the majority of the third set and after a 7-2 run forcing two MSU timeouts, the Vikings pulled away for a 25-18 set win to take back the match lead, 2-1.  The Vikings notched 16 kills and swung at a .359 clip in the third set.

Hafemeyer crushed four more kills in the third set to reach double digits.

In the fourth set, Augsutana hopped on the Mavericks early and used three Hafemeyer kills mixed with great serving from Courtney Ysker to build a nine-point lead at 12-3.  Minnesota State made several comeback attempts, but Augustana thwarted them all and went on the match with a 25-13.

Hafemeyer finished with 17 kills and hit .467 while Johnson finished with 51 assists while Ysker notched nine kills to pair with her team-high 19 digs.

The Vikings head back to Sioux Falls to host Minnesota Duluth and St. Cloud State next weekend.

Courtesy:  Augustana College

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