ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Viking men's volleyball team was defeated at home by the No. 6 Carthage Firebirds on Wednesday, falling at home in consecutive sets by scores of 25-17, 27-25, 25-18.

The Firebirds opened the first set with nine of the first 12 points before a Vikings run cut it to two early on. From there, the two teams continued to fight a close battle, with Augustana trimming the margin to just a single point on three separate occasions. Carthage broke away for good, using a 6-1 scoring burst to push a 15-14 advantage to 21-15. The Firebirds took game by a final of 25-17 for the early 1-0 match lead.

Augustana held the early advantage in set two until Carthage marched back to even the game at nine points apiece. Carthage quickly claimed a lead, running it out to as many as five points at 20-15. The Vikings stormed back, eventually fighting off two set points to even the score at 24 all. The teams traded points before a kill and an attack error went in favor of the Firebirds to give them the 27-25 victory.

Carthage took control quickly in the final frame, posting two different five-point leads at 11-6 and 15-10 before cushioning the differential to seven, their largest of the match up to that point. The margin never dipped below five as the Firebirds took the match following a 25-18 win.

Sean Carlson was the Vikings' top attacker on Wednesday, ending with nine kills on 21 attempts. Matthew Degnan and Max Sellers led the defensive efforts with seven digs apiece.

With the loss, Augustana drops to 10-8 on the season and 1-3 in the CCIW. The team will be back in action at home on Wednesday, March 22 against Loras. Start time is scheduled for 7 p.m. from inside the Carver Center.