ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Vikings women's volleyball team will open up their conference slate on Wednesday, September 13 when they host the visiting Wheaton Thunder.

The Vikings enter Wednesday with a 6-0 record and are receiving votes in the latest AVCA poll, the second most votes of any team outside the top 25. The team is coming off a perfect 2-0 trip to Cedar Rapids, defeating Illinois College in four sets before knocking off No. 23 ranked Coe on their home court in five sets. Grace Vranicar anchored an outstanding Augustana defense with 34 digs, while Emily Schipper was the top kill getter with 17. Augie held the Kohawks to a hitting percentage of just .143.

Wheaton currently sits at 2-3 on the season, recently ending a three-match losing streak with a 3-0 win over Wisconsin Lutheran at home. Wheaton defeated Rose-Hulman in their first of three contests in Whitewater, Wis., but dropped their final two of the weekend to Lakeland and the host UW-Whitewater Warhawks. The Thunder then fell at home to No. 4 ranked Calvin in consecutive sets. Wheaton ended the 2022 season with a 11-17 overall record and 2-6 mark in conference. 

Augustana leads the all-time series between the two programs 32-31, winning last year's encounter at Wheaton by a score of 3-1. The Vikings have won five of the last six meetings over the Thunder.

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