Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – Coach Kelly Bethke's Augustana volleyball team got off to a strong start Friday at the Viking Classic at Carver Center. The hosts downed Illinois College and Wisconsin Lutheran both in straight sets and are tied with Marian at 2-0 in the team standing through day one. The Vikings, now 7-3 on the season, and Sabres are scheduled to face each other on Saturday, September 17 at 10:00 a.m. At noon Saturday, Augustana will take on Grinnell.
 
AUGUSTANA 3, ILLINOIS COLLEGE 0 (25-10; 25-22; 25-12)
 
Sophomore Taryn VanEarwage (Rock Island HS, Rock Island, Ill.) led Augustana with 11 kills in and efficient three-set win over the Lady Blues, who are now 5-3 on the year. The second set was the only one that was in question, with Illinois College rallying from a 19-15 deficit to tie it at 19-all. However, consecutive service aces by sophomore Sierra Rood (Lena-Winslow HS, Lena, Ill.) turned the tide back in the Vikings' favor and they closed it out 25-22.
 
The hosts took the opening set by a score of 25-10 and the finale 25-12.
 
Senior Jacqueline Kibir-Evans (Trinity HS, Forest Park, Ill.) complimented VanEarwage with nine kills in just 16 attempts with no errors—an attack percentage of .563. Senior Hannah Lindaman (North Scott HS, Eldridge, Iowa) Lindaman led in assists with 18, followed by Zambrano's nine and eight by junior libero Claire Martin (Mother McAuley HS, Orland Park, Ill.).
 
Rood and Lindaman each had two of Augustana's seven service aces.
 
Defensively, VanEarwage and sophomore McKenzie Zambrano (Rock Island HS, Rock Island, Ill.) each had a team-high 12 digs, while Lindaman chipped in with 11. Kibir-Evans had a team-best three blocks.
 
AUGUSTANA 3, WISCONSIN LUTHERAN 0 (25-19; 25-16; 25-18)
 
The Vikings took care of the Warriors in straights sets in their nightcap as well.
 
VanEarwage had 11 kills with just one error in 27 attempts and Kibir-Evans had eight kills in 17 attempts without committing an error for the second straight match. Zambrano led in assists with 17 and Lindaman added 14.
 
Senior Amy Kalkhoff (Clear Creek Amana HS, North Liberty, Iowa) had a team-high 15 digs, followed by VanEarwage and Martin with 13 each. Kibir-Evans was in on four block assists and freshman Grace Bialobok (Homewood-Floosmoor HS, Homewood, Ill.) had a solo block and a pair of assists.
 
Wisconsin Lutheran dropped to 5-4 on the season.