ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – Augustana could get nothing going on Friday, September 14 against Alma in the first round of the Viking Classic in the Carver Center and the result was a 3-0 defeat at the hands of the Scots. Viking Head Coach Kelly Bethke played a total of 20 players but couldn't find the right combination as Alma recorded individual set victories by scores of 25-19; 25-15; 25-18.
 
The Vikings jumped out to a 7-1 lead in the very first set behind the serving of junior Brooke Harmon (Lindbergh HS, St. Louis, Mo.). After an Alma timeout, however, the Scots went on an 11-5 run that tied the game at 12-12. The set was also tied at 17-17 when Alma went on an 8-2 run to close out the set.
 
In the second set Augie never led as the Scots won 25-15. In the third set the Vikings tied the match at 15-15 thanks to a service error by Alma off a serve by freshman Jordan Dryfhout (Chicago Christian HS, Orland Park, Ill.). As soon as the Vikings tied the game, however, the Scots went on a 10-3 run to close out the set and the match.
 
Junior Grace Bialobok (Homewood-Flossmoor HS, Homewood, Ill.) led the way for Augustana with eight kills and she also had two blocking assists. Senior Victoria Biggerstaff (Broomfield HS, Broomfield, Colo.) had five kills, all in the first set. Senior McKenzie Zambrano (Rock Island HS, Rock Island, Ill.) had nine assists while freshman Olivia Doak (Crystal Lake Central HS, Crystal Lake, Ill.) had six. The digs leader was senior Taryn VanErwage (Rock Island HS, Rock Island, Ill.) with seven and sophomore Jessica Nguyen (Kaneland HS, Elburn, Ill.) had a team-high three service aces.
 
Sara Majerle was the kills leader for Alma with 11 and she also topped the Scots in digs with 12. Haley Novak had 28 assists and Bailey Cantrell picked up three service aces.
 
Augustana is now 5-5 on the season while Alma moved to 8-1. The Vikings will play Loras at 11:00 a.m. and Webster at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 15.