ROCK ISLAND – The Augustana Vikings women's volleyball team picked up a Senior Night victory on Friday, defeating the Central Dutch by a score of 3-0 to kick off the 2023 Pumpkin Bash.
 
Augie quickly doubled up the visitors in the opening set with six of the first nine points. Central stormed back immediately with four straight scores to grab its first and only lead of the game before Augie charged back out in front once and for all. The Vikings saw four different differentials of eight points the rest of the way before three straight tallies to close the set gave Augie a 10-point win to take a 1-0 lead in the match. Kills by Kira Nelson and Jenny Dunder put the finishing touches on the double-figure win.
 
Another fast start for the Vikings ensued as the team raced out to a 7-2 advantage to begin the second frame. Central again responded with a scoring run, bringing the game to a tie at 8-8 moments later. The lead never switched as five quick points from Augie regained control for the Vikings as they hovered around the five-point margin for the rest of the set. The Dutch pulled within three points three different times, with the latest coming at 20-17. Augustana fended off the rally with three scores in a row, eventually holding on for the 25-19 win.
 
It was a game of runs to begin set three, with Augie notching a 4-1 advantage before losing it after four straight from the Dutch. The Vikings responded with a 4-0 run of their own to force a Central timeout, continuing to pour it on with seven of the first eight points out of the break. The margin quickly moved to double figures moments later as Augustana cruised to a 15-point victory to complete the sweep. Kenzie Stone capped off the win with a service ace.

The Vikings hit .250 in the win while holding the Dutch to a negative percentage at -.020. Emily Schipper led all players with 14 kills, followed by Jaden Julius with nine. Amelie Baehr-Ross notched 25 assists, while Grace Vranicar led a sound defense with 16 digs.

Augie improves to 22-6 with the win and will close out the regular season on Saturday with home matches against Coe and Nebraska Wesleyan.