ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Vikings women's volleyball team will be back home on Wednesday, October 4 when they host the Carthage Firebirds in a critical conference showdown.

Augustana currently sits 12-4 overall and 1-2 in the CCIW. The team has suffered back-to-back conference losses in five sets, but is riding a two-match winning streak after a pair of non-conference sweeps last Friday in Dubuque, Iowa. The Vikings first defeated the Grinnell Pioneers in consecutive sets before knocking off the host Loras Duhawks in three sets as well. Grace Vranicar and Emily Schipper were honored by the CCIW for Defensive Player and Hitter of the Week after helping lead the team to a 2-1 record. The Vikings will be be back in the Carver Center on Wednesday for the first time since September 16.

Carthage enters Wednesday with a 10-6 overall record and is 2-0 in CCIW action. The Firebirds have won five straight overall, including four sweeps over that span. Carthage defeated Wheaton in consecutive sets in their most recent outing to move their win streak to five. The Firebirds have two other common opponents with the Vikings this season, defeating both Wartburg and Coe by a score of 3-0. Carthage is receiving votes in the latest AVCA poll.

The Firebirds hold a 39-15 advantage in the all-time series and have won 27 matches in a row over the Vikings dating back to 2003. Carthage won both of last year's meetings in Kenosha, Wis. in five sets.

Start time is scheduled for 7 p.m. from the Carver Center. Live coverage can be found here.