ROCK ISLAND, Ill. - Augustana came from behind in the first two games and controlled the third from the outset Saturday, downing Olivet in straight sets at Carver Center. The Vikings improved to 9-11 on the season and 3-1 in the MCVL, while the Comets dropped to 1-11 overall and 0-3 in the league.

 

Augustana dug itself out of an early hole to win game one 25-21. The Vikings won the first point on a Justin Murphy (Glenbard East HS, Lombard, Ill.) kill, but Olivet answered with the next four and would lead for most of the set. The Comets eventually extended the advantage to 15-8 on a Deivan Prince kill. They still led 19-13 after an Augustana attack error, but the hosts came roaring back to claim 12 of the last 14 points. They pulled even at 20-all on a Jason Szara (Lincoln-Way East HS, Frankfort, Ill.) service ace and took the lead for good at 22-21 on a kill by Luis Zavala (Lincoln-Way East HS, Frankfort, Ill.). Set point came on an Olivet attack error.
 
The Comets used a 5-1 run to forge an 18-16 lead in game two, but a service error opened the door for Augustana and kills by Caleb Minnis (Downers Grove South HS, Downers Grove, Ill.) and Sanchit Khaitan (Glenbard North HS, Bloomingdale, Ill.) and an Olivet attack error pulled the Vikings even at 20-all. The game settled into a back-and-forth affair from there until consecutive Szara kills finished off a 28-26 Augustana win.
 
The hosts didn't leave much doubt in game three, getting kills from five different players in jumping to a 13-5 lead. Khaitan set John Otoo (Vernon Hills HS, Vernon Hills, Ill.) for a kill that gave the Vikings a 25-15 win.
 
Murphy and Szara each had eight kills. Minnis added seven and Zavala six. Khaitan dished out 32 assists. Matthew Schiferl (Wheeling HS, Arlington Heights, Ill.) contributed 13 digs and Murphy 10 and Minnis, Zavala and Murphy were each in on three blocks.
 
Brock Pringle led the Comets with nine kills.
 
Next up for Augustana is a trip to Kenosha, Wisconsin to face top-ranked Carthage on Friday, March 22 at 7:00 p.m.