ANGOLA, Ind. – Augustana hit a program-record .410 Saturday as it wrapped up its second season of varsity men's volleyball, defeating Trine in straight sets at Hershey Hall. The Vikings finished the year 12-15 overall and tied for fifth in the Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League with a record of 5-4. The Thunder's season came to an end with a mark of 6-23 overall and 0-9 in the conference.

 

After Augustana jumped in front 7-2 in game one, Trine rallied to take a 15-14 lead on a kill by Kyle Dixon. The Vikings tied it at 16-all on a Justin Murphy (Glenbard South HS, Lombard, Ill.) kill and took a 17-16 lead on a Thunder attack error. They would lead the rest of the way, claiming five of the last six points to win 25-19.
 
Augustana led wire-to-wire in a 25-22 game-two win. The Vikings claimed set point via a Trine attack error.
 
A Caleb Minnis (Downers Grove South HS, Downers Grove, Ill.) kill gave the visitors a 6-5 lead in game three that they wouldn't relinquish. Another Minnis kill extended the advantage to 17-11, but the Thunder won four straight points to get to within 17-15. Ryan Hirschel (Libertyville HS, Libertyville, Ill.) had three kills, including one for match point, as Augustana claimed seven of the last nine points to win 25-18.
 
Hirschel finished with team highs of nine kills and 10 digs and his 16 assists trailed only Sanchit Khaitan's (Glenbard North HS, Bloomingdale, Ill.) 17. Murphy equaled Hirschel's nine kills. Dillan Baum (Warrensburg-Latham HS, Decatur, Ill.) delivered three service aces and Luis Zavala (Lincoln-Way East HS, Frankfort, Ill.) was in on three blocks.
 
The Vikings finished with 42 kills and just eight errors on 83 swings to better the previous program record for attack percentage (.330) set on St. Patrick's Day of 2018 against Aurora.