DUBUQUE, Iowa – Dorian Fiorenza had 13 kills Saturday to lead Loras to a straight-set victory over Augustana at Lillis Court. The Vikings lost for just the second time in their last 10 matches, dropping to 9-5 overall and 8-3 in the CCIW. Loras improved to 7-5 on the season and 6-4 in the conference.
 
Consecutive Jake Filotto kills gave the hosts a 6-4 lead that they wouldn't relinquish in game one. Fiorenza had three kills in an 8-2 run that took the Loras lead from 9-8 to 17-10. Augustana made one final push, cutting the deficit to 23-20 on a kill by Jarod Hesse (Grayslake North HS, Villa Park, Ill.), but a Filotto kill eventually closed out a 25-21 Duhawk win.
 
The Vikings trailed for much of set two as well, but pulled even at 20-all following a Justin Murphy (Glenbard East HS, Lombard, Ill.) kill and a Loras attack error. However, the Duhawks claimed the last five points, with another Fiorenza kill finishing of a 25-20 win.
 
Fiorenza had two kills as the hosts went up 3-0 in game three. Augustana pulled to within two twice on a pair of Loras service errors, but a Filotto kill sparked a 6-1 run that pushed the lead to 11-4. Murphy had two kills as the Vikings took four straight points, but the Duhawks answered with four of their own and the margin was never less than six the rest of the way. Match point came on an Augustana service error.
 
Murphy and Gary Dodovich (St. Benedict HS, Chicago, Ill.) each had 10 kills. Sanchit Khaitan (Glenbard North HS, Bloomingdale, Ill.) had 24 assists and Hesse 10 digs.
 
Filotto added 10 kills to Fiorenza's baker's dozen.
 
The Vikings wrap up regular season play on Wednesday, March 31 at North Central.