Box Score

NAPERVILLE, Ill. – Augustana claimed the final two games Friday to pull out a five-set victory over Wisconsin-Stout at the CCIW/WIAC Crossover at North Central College. Coach Kelly Bethke's Vikings improved to 7-7 on the season heading into Saturday (September 23) morning's match against 17th-ranked Wisconsin-Stevens Point. The Blue Devils dropped to 5-8 on the year.
 
After Stout took a 2-1 lead with a decisive 25-14 win in the third set, the Blue Devils jumped in front 10-4 in the fourth. However, a block by sophomore Grace Bialobok (Homewood-Flossmoor HS, Homewood, Ill.) started Augustana's comeback. With senior Claire Martin (Mother McAuley HS, Orland Park, Ill.) serving, the Vikings won the next five points to tie it at 10-10. A kill by Stout's Emili Cain stemmed the tide only temporarily, as Augustana got two kills each from senior Maissie Musick (Camp Point Central HS, Camp Point, Ill.) and junior Emily Uglem (Moorhead HS, Moorhead, Minn.) to go up 14-11. UWS forged one final tie at 14-all before another Musick kill put Augustana up for good. Set point came on a kill by junior Taryn VanEarwage (Rock Island HS, Rock Island, Ill.).
 
The Blue Devils started fast in game five as well, leading 6-3 before settling for an 8-6 advantage at the change. Sparked by a Bialobok kill, the Vikings won seven of the first nine points after the break to take a 13-10 lead. After a Stout timeout, Kylie Hoff had a kill for the Blue Devils, but Augustana answered with a Musick block before junior McKenzie Zambrano (Rock Island HS, Rock Island, Ill.) set senior Emily Westermeyer (Huntley HS, Huntley, Ill.) for a kill and match point.
 
The Blue Devils won the first game 25-21, winning seven of the final nine points after trailing 19-18.
 
The Vikings evened the match at a game apiece, winning 25-19 in set two. Augustana used a 7-1 run midway through to take an 18-12 lead. UWS got as close as 21-18, but a Musick kill sparked a 4-1 closing run for Bethke's club.
 
Stout dominated the third set, taking seven of nine points to go up 15-9. The Vikings would get no closer five points the rest of the way. Set point came on a Kennedy Strain kill.
 
Musick led Augustana with a match-high 14 kills as well as five blocks, including four of the solo variety. Bialobok added 11 kills and four blocks. VanEarwage delivered three service aces, while Zambrano recorded 24 assists and sophomore Brooke Kegan (Hall HS, Ladd, Ill.) 21. Martin and VanEarwage each finished with 21 digs.