ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Vikings women's volleyball team defeated the visiting Wheaton Thunder on Wednesday to improve to 7-0 on the season, winning in consecutive sets (25-19, 25-21, 25-10) to kick off the CCIW schedule.

After falling behind 2-1 to begin the match, Augie rattled off six points in a row to take command early. Wheaton cut the differential down to three at 10-7, but the Vikings continued to keep their distance until the Thunder eventually trimmed the lead down to one late in the game. Leading 19-18, the Vikings tallied six of the final seven points scored in the frame, including back-to-back service aces from Syd Krueger to help close out the win.

The two teams alternated small scoring runs to begin game two, seeing themselves deadlocked in a 7-7 tie early on. The Vikings once again pulled away and created separation, using an 8-1 scoring outburst to push their margin to seven. Wheaton made a late comeback and shrunk the cushion for Augie down to just two points at 22-20, but the Vikings fended off the rally thanks to two errors form the Thunder and set-sealing kill from Leah Rizzo.

It was all Augie in set three, jumping out to just a 9-2 lead. Wheaton strung together an ensuing run to cut the advantage to 10-8 in favor of Augustana, but 15 of the next 17 points went the Vikings' way as they rolled to a 25-10 set three victory to claim their first win of the young conference schedule.

The Vikings hit .275 on the night, led by 12 kills from Emily Schipper and nine apiece from Krueger and Rizzo. Amelie Baehr-Ross averaged over 10 assists per game with 31, while four Vikings notched double-digit digs. Grace Vranicar was the leader in that category with 18, followed by 14 from Baehr-Ross.

Augustana will remain home to host the Viking Classic with two matches at 4 and 8 p.m. on Friday, September 15.