Box Score

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Augustana wrapped up its first season of men's volleyball on a winning note Saturday, defeating Fontbonne in four sets at Mabee Gymnasium. Coach Mark Lau's Vikings finish the year 11-16 overall and 4-5 in the MCVL, while the Griffins dropped to 19-8 on the year and 4-5 in the conference.
 
Fontbonne led nearly wire-to-wire in a 25-23 opening-game win. A Justin Murphy (Glenbard East HS, Lombard, Ill.) kill trimmed what had been a five-point (15-10) Augustana deficit to one (24-23), but Stephen Lendy's kill gave the set to the Griffins.
 
It was the visitors who won set two 25-23. The Vikings trailed 22-20, but won five of the last six points, including a pair of kills by setter Ryan Hirschel (Libertyville HS, Libertyville, Ill.). A kill by freshman Andrew Housholder (Neuqua Valley HS, Naperville, Ill.) accounted for set point.
 
Fontbonne fought of two set points in game three, but fell 27-25 with set point coming on a Griffin attack error.
 
A Dylan Baum (Warrensburg-Latham HS, Decatur, Ill.) kill pulled Augustana even at 14-all in game four and the Vikings took the lead for good at 15-14 on a Fontbonne attack error. The Griffins were as close as 21-20 after a Mark Klusman service ace, but a kill by freshman Joshua Richardson (Homewood-Flossmoor HS, Hazel Crest, Ill.) sparked a 4-1 Augustana closing run. Hirschel and Housholder teamed up to block a Lendy attack for match point in a 25-21 Viking win
 
Despite playing just four sets, Lau's crew set a season high for assists with 59, equaled Friday night's season-high 62 kills and also logged a four-game season best of 74 digs.
 
Baum led the way with 15 kills. Murphy had 14 and freshman Jason Szara (Lincoln-Way East HS, Frankfort, Ill.) 13. Hirschel's match-high 51 assists were just two off his season high and he added 16 digs. Freshman Matthew Schiferl (Wheeling HS, Arlington Heights, Ill.) contributed 21 digs, with Szara (14) and Murphy (12) reaching double digits as well. Housholder was in on five blocks.