The 2023 Augustana Vikings women's volleyball group enjoyed a historic season that saw milestone victories and the most wins in a campaign in nearly a decade.

The Vikings jumped out to a fast start after picking up a trio of hard-fought victories in Colorado to begin the year. First, Augie knocked off Colorado College in five sets, giving the Tigers a loss on their home court for just the 22nd time in 15 years. The Vikings built off their momentum and earned wins over Wartburg and Hardin-Simmons to complete a 3-0 trip out west.

Five days later, Augustana enjoyed a sweep over Knox in its home opener before heading to Cedar Rapids the very next day for a pair of matches. After defeating Illinois College, the Vikings battled and took down No. 23 ranked Coe in a contest that went until almost midnight. A CCIW-opening win over Wheaton and consecutive victories on their home floor for the Vikings ensued, giving them a 9-0 start to the season. Augie suffered its first loss on day two of the Viking Classic, falling to UW-Platteville before closing out the weekend with a five-set victory over Clarkson.

Augustana endured a speed bump over the course of the next two weeks, dropping three straight contests, two coming in five sets to CCIW foes. A tri-match sweep over Grinnell and Loras brought the team back into the win column, setting up a monumental victory over Carthage in the first match of October. With this date circled on their calendar, the Vikings stormed back from a 2-1 deficit with a 26-24 set four win before taking the finale 15-11. It was the first victory over Carthage in 20 years.

The victory over the Firebirds jump-started a five-match winning streak, which included a triumph over Elmhurst and three straight non-conference sweeps in Naperville. Despite a 3-2 loss to No. 18 North Park, the Vikings won nine of their 10 contests in the month of October. On November 1, the program set an all-time attendance record in a home match against Millikin.

Augie closed out the regular season with two out of three wins in the home Pumpkin Bash, which included 3-0 sweeps over Central and Coe. The Vikings saw their season come to an end in the opening round of the CCIW Tournament in Bloomington.

Following the conclusion of the regular season, a total of four Vikings were named to the CCIW All-Conference Teams. Grace Vranicar was named a First Team selection for the second time in her career, making it the third straight season on the All-CCIW list. In all matches, Vranicar was the league leader in digs per set and ranked third in the CCIW in total digs in just conference contests. She was a multiple time winner for the CCIW Defensive Player of the Week award and was the lone member of the team to play in all 113 sets this season. She ended the season with 5.2 digs per set and was third on the team in service aces. Vranicar owned the CCIW high for most digs in a match with 42 during the 2023 campaign.

Emily Schipper was also named to the CCIW's First Team. In all matches, the senior ranked second in kills per set and was fourth in CCIW matches in both total kills and kills per game. She led the team in kills during the regular season with 449 and finished with a hitting percentage of .224. She also ranked fourth on the team in digs with 264, good for 2.38 per game.

Amelie Baehr-Ross was selected All-Conference on Second Team. The senior setter was third in the CCIW in total assists and fifth in assists per game in conference matches with 8.50. She also ranked third in service aces with 18. Baehr-Ross was second on the team in digs in 2023 and also had an attack percentage of .228 from the setter position.

Syd Krueger also earned Second Team honors, the second season in a row being named All-CCIW. In conference matches, Krueger ranked in the top 10 in hitting percentage (6th), blocks (8th), and service aces (7th).

This season marked the first time since 2007 that Augustana has boasted four All-Conference selections. Sarah Sorrell was named the recipient of the CCIW's RESPECT Award. In December, Schipper, Baehr-Ross, and Jenny Dunder were named to the CSC Academic All-District Team.

After the season, Coach Kelly Bethke announced the 2023 team awards.

Varsity
Offensive Player of the Year - Emily Schipper 
Defensive Player of the Year - Grace Vranicar
Most Valuable Player - Amelie Baehr-Ross
Most Improved Player - Kylie Collachia
Augie Award - Sarah Sorrell

Junior Varsity
Offensive Player of the Year - Izzy Ehrlich, Lanah Queckboerner
Defensive Player of the Year - Brianna Rios
Most Valuable Player - Alyssa Millan
Most Improved Player - Emilia Frankiewicz
Most Improved Player - Destiny Missel
Augie Award - Alyssa Millan

An updated look at the Augustana women's volleyball record book can be found here.