ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – The Augustana Vikings volleyball team dropped a three-set contest to the Carroll Pioneers on Friday night, falling 25-18, 25-18, and 25-23.

In the opening frame, Augustana kept pace early with kills from Mallory Coley and Alexis Richards, as well as defensive contributions from Carmela Carbone. Richards pulled the Vikings even at 6-6 with consecutive finishes, but Carroll responded with a run sparked to build a 16-11 lead. Despite a 4-1 run including kills from Grace Gustafson, Coley, and Richards the Vikings couldn't close the gap, and the Pioneers used a strong finish to claim the first set 25-18.

Carroll carried momentum into the second set, using a flurry of kills from Kylie Wittnebel to grab an early 4-0 advantage. The Vikings answered behind Alita Folkening, who tallied 3 kills in a row to trim the deficit to 8-7. However, the Pioneers countered with a balanced attack from to stretch the lead to 17-9. Fresh contributions from Grace Lichthardt and Elle Jones kept Augie in the frame, but Carroll closed strong and secured a second straight 25-18 win.

The third set proved to be the closest of the night, featuring multiple ties and momentum swings. Early kills from Folkening and Coley helped the Vikings establish rhythm, while Lichthardt & Richards delivered a trio of finishes to put Augie ahead 16-14. Lichthardt added key points down the stretch, and Jones chipped in with a late kill to keep Augustana within striking distance. However, Carroll put together 3 points and after going back-n-forth the visitors took a 25-23 decision.

Richards paced the Vikings with a team-high nine kills and eight digs, while Coley added seven kills and Folkening contributed six on an efficient .545 hitting percentage. Gustafson chipped in six kills of her own on .308 hitting, and Lichthardt was effective with seven kills at a .353 clip. Elle Jones added two kills in her two sets of action. Leah Rizzo directed the offense with 17 assists, while Abby Kirchner tallied 15 assists and three service aces. Defensively, Katelyn Turley led the way with 13 digs.

Augustana will return to action on Friday, Oct. 10 at home versus Elmhurst.