DECATUR, Ill. – Augustana opened the "2020" season Sunday afternoon, taking on Millikin at the Griswold Center. Unfortunately, the hosts made short work of the Vikings, handing them a straight-set defeat by scores of 25-10, 25-11 and 25-16. Coach Kelly Bethke's club will look to rebound when it plays its home opener at 3:00 p.m. February 28 versus Elmhurst.
 
Freshman Jaden Julius (Lena-Winslow HS, Winslow, Ill.) gave Augustana its only lead of the day, finishing off an assist from junior Olivia Doak (Crystal Lake Central HS, Crystal Lake, Ill.) for a kill on the first point of game one. Lauren Brummel had three kills as the Big Blue answered with eight straight points. A Lexi Miller (Oswego HS, North Liberty, Iowa) kill got the Vikings to within 8-4, but Millikin captured 10 of the next 12 points to pull away. Stephanie Holsinger's service ace provided set point.
 
In game two, it was Tori Stuart who had three kills in an 8-0 start by the Big Blue. Augustana never got closer than six points and set point came on a combined block by Brummel and Madison Clarida.
 
Augustana trailed only 6-5 in game three following a kill by freshman Emily Schipper (Fulton HS, Fulton, Ill.). However, Millikin claimed the next five points and 10 of the next 11. Kamryn Flesner had consecutive aces and Stuart a pair of kills in the spree. The Vikings took five straight points to cut it to 16-11, but the Big Blue responded with three in a row and the margin wouldn't dip under seven the rest of the way.
 
Freshman Brook Fieldman (Plainfield East HS, Plainfield, Ill.) finished with a team-high five kills. Doak had nine assists and shared the team lead in digs (six) with senior Jessica Nguyen (Kaneland HS, Elburn, Ill.). Stuart had a match-high 10 kills for Millikin.