KENOSHA, Wis. --  The Augustana Vikings fell to the No. 6 Carthage Firebirds in the semifinals of the CCIW tournament on Wednesday in three sets to conclude the 2025 season. 

The Vikings secured the first two points of the first set after a solo block by Ben Schultz and an attack error by Carthage. The Firebirds followed with three consecutive points to overtake the lead, but another error by them evened the game at three apiece. Carthage converted a 9-1 run to stretch the gap and maintained the upper hand for the remainder of the set to lead 1-0.

In the second set, Augie grabbed the early advantage after an attack error by the Firebirds and a kill by Schultz. Carthage tied the set at two apiece before two consecutive points by the Vikings regained the advantage after successful attacks by Schultz and Tom Lamb. The Firebirds followed with five points to move out in front at 7-4. Augie got within one after a block by Schultz and Cole Clarke, but Carthage never lost the lead to take the second set.

A kill by Lamb and an attack error by the Firebirds started the third set, but Carthage followed with two to even the score at 2-2. Both teams drew even nine times before the Firebirds found the lead for good. A late three-point run squashed the gap to one after back-to-back errors by Carthage and a kill by Zach Moreano to make it a 17-16 game. The Firebirds won eight of the final 11 points to take the final set by a score of 25-19. 

Schultz led the team with seven kills, while Colin Schaefer notched 23 assists and Aiden Bond had 10 digs. 

The Vikings finish the season with a 12-14 record and 2-8 in conference play.