Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

BLUFFTON, Ohio- The first day of the Bluffton Invitational in Bluffton, Ohio on Friday, September 4 proved to be a successful one for head coach Kelly Bethke's Augustana volleyball team. The Vikings not only went 2-0 on the night to notch their first two victories of the young season but senior libero Kylie Siebert (Kaneland HS, Sugar Grove, Ill.) put her name in the school's record books.
 
Siebert surpassed the previous school record of 1,650 digs set by Callyn Dittmar (2000-03). Siebert now holds the new school record at 1,684 digs after recording a total of 35 in the two matches on Friday at the Sommer Center in Bluffton, Ohio.
 
Augustana defeated Alma in the opening match by a score of 3-2 (19-25; 25-20; 23-25; 25-15; 15-8) and then came back two hours later and beat host Bluffton 3-1 (25-23; 25-13; 14-25; 25-20). The Vikings are now 2-1 on the season.
 
9/4/15 Augustana 3, Alma 2 (19-25; 25-20; 23-25; 25-15; 15-8)
 
The Vikings tallied their first win of the season, despite giving up two games to the Scots. While Siebert was leading the way defensively with 23 digs, including her school record setter in the early moments of the first set, a pair of seniors also helped out on the defensive end. Outside hitter Martha Murray (Evanston HS, Evanston, Ill.) finished the match with 13 digs and setter Jordan Hampel (Hilliard Davidson HS, Hilliard, Ohio) added 10 digs. Sophomore Claire Martin (Mother McAuley HS, Orland Park, Ill) was not far behind with nine digs.
 
Murray and Hampel also had strong offensive games. Murray pounded 19 kills in 45 attempts while Hampel picked up 18 assists and two service aces. Junior Hannah Lindaman (North Scott HS, Eldridge, Iowa) led the team in setting assists with 30 and she also picked up three service aces and seven digs. Junior Jacqueline Kibir-Evans (Trinity HS, Forest Park, Ill.) contributed 12 kills and three solo and three assisted blocks.
 
In the tough five game series, the Vikings fought hard to gain their first win, pushing through the last set with a match high .375 hitting percentage to seal the victory. Augustana recorded a total of 10 service aces in the match.
 
9/4/15 Augustana 3, Bluffton 1 (25-23; 25-13; 14-25; 25-20)
 
In this four game series, the Vikings led Bluffton in most categories, including kills (49-46), aces (8-7), blocks (15-12), and assists (48-42). Riding the momentum of the first win of the season hours earlier against Alma, Augustana closed out their second victory of the day by a score of 3-1 (25-23; 25-13; 14-25; 25-20).
 
This match put another senior on the leader board for kills. This time it was Sydney Sand (Burlington Central HS, Elgin, Ill.) who produced a high of 14 kills and four blocks for the match. She also added four digs. Murray continued her impressive performance with 13 kills and 12 digs.
 
Helping the offense perform at its best, senior Jordan Hampel (Hilliard Davidson HS, Hilliard, Ohio) and junior Hannah Lindaman (North Scott HS, Eldridge, Iowa) ran things from the setter's position. Hampel contributed 24 assists while Lindamen dished out 19 and had a team high three service aces. Siebert led the team in digs with 12.
 
The Vikings look to continue their winning streak on day two of the Bluffton Invitational. Augustana will take on Heidelberg at 12:00 noon and Ohio Northern at 2:00 p.m. to finish out the tournament.