Box Score RIVER FOREST – The Augustana Vikings wrapped up their opening weekend against Concordia-Chicago on Saturday, falling in a five set thriller: 18-25, 25-19, 26-24, 22-25, 9-15.

Augustana scored the opening two points of the match behind early kills from Tom Lamb and Cole Clarke, but Concordia answered to regain control. The Vikings remained within range for much of the opening set, pulling within two at 15-17 following a kill from Alexander Sulewski. Concordia used a late run to create separation and closed the set 25-18.

The Vikings responded with their strongest set of the match in the second. Augustana jumped out to a 5-1 lead and continued to apply pressure with blocking and steady offense. A solo block by Lamb and a service ace from Tommy Weber helped build momentum, and Augustana extended the advantage to 15-10 before closing the set on a 10-4 run. A kill from Sulewski ended the frame, giving the Vikings a 25-19 win and evening the match.

Set three turned into a prolonged back-and-forth battle that featured 13 tie scores and seven lead changes. Augustana used a 5-0 run midway through the set, highlighted by a block from Ryan Huntington and a kill from Sulewski, to take a 19-15 lead. Concordia rallied late to force extra points, but Augustana answered. After the score was tied at 24-24, the Vikings closed the set with back-to-back points to secure a 26-24 victory and a 2-1 match lead.

The fourth set remained close throughout, with neither team gaining more than a three-point edge for extended stretches. Augustana tied the score at 16-16 and briefly moved in front at 17-16 following a kill from Lamb. Concordia answered with a late surge, however, and closed the set 25-22 to force a decisive fifth set.

The fifth set opened evenly, with the teams trading points through the first eight rallies to reach a 4-4 tie. Augustana then gained a brief edge, using a service ace from Sulewski and a kill from Clarke to take a 6-4 lead. Concordia responded with a run down the stretch, and the Cougars closed the set 15-9 to claim the match.

Sulewski led the Vikings with 14 kills while hitting .273 and added three solo blocks and one service ace. Clarke finished with 13 kills, while Ryan Huntington added eight. Lamb contributed six kills, and Bryce Lawson chipped in four. Colin Schaefer directed the offense with 41 assists, while Colin Alvers led the team defensively with 14 digs. Augustana totaled 13 team blocks and 66 digs in the five-set contest.

The Vikings host Edgewood on Tuesday, January 27 for their 2026 home opener in the Roy J. Carver Center. First serve is set for 7 p.m.