Box Score
Augustana used a consistent offensive attack and a strong block to sweep Minnesota State University Moorhead by scores of 25-18, 27-25, 25-20 Friday night at the Elmen Center.
The 22nd-ranked Vikings improved to 22-10 overall and 14-5 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, while the Dragons fell to 16-15 overall and 10-9 in the NSIC.
Augustana got off to a fast start by cruising to an easy win in the opening set. The Vikings hit .263 as a team, tallying 14 kills and only 4 errors. Meanwhile, MSU Moorhead struggled, hitting .089 with 12 kills and 8 errors.
The Dragons settled down in the second set as they opened up a 15-9 lead midway through the set. The lead was 19-13 a few points later before Augustana collected itself by going on a 6-1 run to close within 1 at 20-19.
However, MSUM fought back to increase the lead to 24-20, giving the Dragons 4 set points. But Augustana capitalized on 2 kills by Beth Talcott and 2 Dragon errors to knot the set at 24-24. The Vikings fought off another set point to tie the score at 25-25 before gaining its first set point on another Dragon miscue. Talcott put the set away with another kill, her sixth of the set.
MSU Moorhead again fought hard in the third set, taking a 12-8 lead before the Vikings scored 4 straight points to tie the score at 12-12. From there Augie steadily pulled away as they used a 7-2 rally to take control of the set at 21-16.
Augustana hit .486 in the final set with 19 kills and 2 errors. The Dragons had their best set, hitting .233 but it wasn't enough to hold off the Vikings.
Cayla Schroeder powered the Augie offensive onslaught with 14 kills and 0 errors for a .483 attack percentage. Talcott and Ellen Andrews each finished with 12 kills and both hit over .300 for the match.
Defensively, Jenna Hultgren had a team-high 12 digs, while Brianna Erickson had 11. Alex Burke matched her career high with 6 blocks, while Andrews was involved in 4 blocks. Lisa Hoegh directed the Vikings to a .331 team attack percentage with 46 assists.
Augustana closes out the regular season by entertaining Minnesota, Crookston on Saturday at 4 p.m. at the Elmen Center.