Box Score

LISLE, Ill. – Coach Mark Lau's fledgling Augustana volleyball program made its debut on Friday, falling in three sets in its first-ever match at Benedictine. The Eagles, who were also playing their 2018 season opener, downed the Vikings 25-15, 25-19 and 25-18 at the Dan and Ada Rice Center.
 
The hosts won the first five points of the match with Joe Lock serving before a kill by freshman Jason Szara (Lincoln-Way East, Frankfort, Ill.) accounted for the first point in Augustana  program history. Benedictine extended the lead to 13-5, but Szara had a pair of kills in a 5-1 Viking run that trimmed the deficit to 14-10. However, the Eagles responded with the next three points and went on to a 25-15 win.
 
After grabbing early 1-0 and 2-1 leads in set two, Lau's bunch eventually fell behind 20-13. A Szara kill and two Andrew Housholder (Neuqua Valley HS, Naperville, Ill.) service aces keyed a 4-0 run that pulled Augustana to within 20-17, but Benedictine won five of the last seven points to win 25-19.
 
Freshman Justin Murphy (Glenbard East HS, Lombard, Ill.) had two kills and classmate Joshua Richardson (Homewood-Flossmoor HS, Hazel Crest, Ill.) a kill and an ace as the Vikings jumped on top 8-1 in game three. Benedictine answered with seven straight points—the final two of which came on Elijah Medlock kills—to tie it before the guests claimed two points for a 10-8 lead. The Eagles won the next five, though and went on to claim a 25-18 victory. Match point came on an Adriel Rivas kill.
 
Murphy led Augustana with nine kills and Szara added seven. Freshman Ryan Hirschel (Libertyville HS, Libertyville, Ill.) had match highs of 24 assists and three blocks. Freshman Matthew Schiferl (Wheeling HS, Arlington Heights, Ill.) contributed 10 digs.
 
Nick Malak had nine kills for Benedictine. Lock led the Eagles with 16 assists and shared the team lead in digs (eight) with Medlock.
 
The Vikings will play their inaugural home match against Judson at Carver Center on Saturday, January 20 at 1:00 p.m.