ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Vikings men's volleyball team will return home on Saturday, March 16 to host the No. 10 Carthage Firebirds. 

The Vikings sit at 15-3 on the season and 2-2 in conference play after falling to No. 4 Loras by a score of 3-0 on Wednesday. Augie grabbed the first four points of the match, but Loras fought back and maintained their advantage to a 25-20 win. In the second set, the Vikings claimed the lead after responding to a 4-2 score with four points. A 7-0 spurt from the home team finished with another 25-20 victory for Loras to take a 2-0 lead. In the third set, both teams found themselves in four draws before three consecutive points put the Vikings ahead. Loras evened the score again and secured a 6-3 run to conclude the third set 25-22.

Aidan Bolen led with nine kills, while Colin Schaefer had 26 assists to lead the Vikings' attack. Max Sellers finished with 10 digs.

Carthage owns a 10-5 overall record and sits at 3-1 in conference play. The Firebirds enter the contest after a 3-0 victory over North Park on Wednesday. As a team, Carthage hit .378, while their opponent obtained .234. Ben Heise led with 10 kills, while Gene McNulty had 33 assists, and Ethan Sprague had six blocks. The Firebirds have a 4-2 away record, with their last matchup being a 3-2 victory on February 28 against No. 8 North Central. Carthage holds an 11-0 all-time record over Augie, with the Firebirds grabbing a 3-0 win in their most recent matchup last season in Wisconsin.  

The first serve is slated for 3 p.m.