Box Score

ROCK ISLAND, Ill.  - Augustana College women's volleyball (6-10, 1-3) took a break from conference play on Tuesday night to play host to Benedictine University (5-16, 1-3). Augustana looked dominant in the first two sets to take a 2-0 match lead and while set three had to go to extra play, the Vikings clinched the sweep with a 26-24 win. 

 

Inside the Box Score

• Sophia Sommesi hit double-digit kills with 11. 
• Niya Mincheva had a double-double with 19 assists and 10 digs.
• Four different Vikings had multiple aces in the match. 

 

How it Happened

 

First Set

While the Eagles grabbed the first two points of the match, a 7-2 run by the Vikings built them a three-point advantage. Back-to-back Benedictine scores closed the gap to one before the teams began trading points to keep Augie's lead at one or two points. With the score at 9-8, five straight Augustana points gave them breathing room as they created a 14-8 lead and caused a Benedictine timeout. 

 

The Viking run continued past the time out with a Mincheva ace and two Sommesi kills, giving Augie a 17-8 lead and forcing another Eagle timeout. A third straight Sommesi kill after the timeout continued Augustana's now 10-point run. That run stopped at 11 however with a service error ending it, but the damage had been done as Augie now led 19-9.

 

Benedictine took two of the next three points to cut into Augie's lead a little, but four straight Augie points brought them to set point, 24-10. The Eagles prolonged the set thanks to a 3-0 spree, but Kelsey Mathews ended the set with a final kill to seal Augie's 25-13 set-one win. 

 

Second Set

The start of set two was much closer than the conclusion of set one, with the squads going back-and-forth until it was tied at 4-4. From that point, Benedictine went on a 4-0 run to double up the Vikings, 8-4. A bad set ended the Eagle run, but Augie failed to make up much ground as the teams returned to a back-and-forth game.

 

Still down by four, Augie scored three-in-a-row to pull within one at 11-10. However, the visitors responded with back-to-back points off the serve to up their lead back to three. Augustana once again cut the deficit down to one at 13-12 and this time they were able to find the equalizer thanks to a Benedictine attack error. 

 

A second straight Eagle attack error gave Augie their first lead of the set and another pair of Viking points enlarged their lead to three, 16-13, leading to a Benedictine timeout. Augustana kept the momentum up out of the timeout, eventually building a 19-15 lead. Benedictine would grab the next three scores however to pull back within one, causing an Augie timeout. 

 

The Viking lead continued growing out of the break as a 3-0 run made it 22-18 and led to another Benedictine timeout. Benedictine could not slow Augie down after the timeout, as two Grace Lichthardt aces and an Eagle attack error finalized set two as a 25-18 win for the Vikings. 

 

Third Set

Augie was dominant to start set three, taking a quick 4-0 lead. A 5-3 run by the Eagles brought them within a pair but Augie eventually worked their way back up to a four-point lead at 11-7. Benedictine took five of the next six points however to tie the set at 12 all. Ties were also had at 13-13 and 14-14 before three straight Benedictine points gave them a 17-14 lead and forced an Augie timeout. 

 

Benedictine scored three of the five points after the timeout before Benedictine called a timeout. Out of that break, three consecutive Eagle attack errors brought Augie within one, 20-19. Benedictine's lead would jump back up to three, 22-19, thanks to a pair of points, leading to another Augustana timeout. 

 

The timeout proved fruitful for Augie, who scored three times in-a-row to equalize the game at 22-22. Lichthardt then delivered a kill to put the Vikings in front by one and cause a Benedictine timeout. After the break, a kill by Alyse Murphy-Spiteri brought up set point for Augie, but Benedictine scored back-to-back to tie things at 24-24 and force extra volleyball.

 

Augie made quick work of the extra play. Carmela Carbone struck first to bring up match point and Alita Folkening finished off the Eagles with a final kill to win set three 26-24 and win the match 3-0. 

 

Up Next

For the first time since September 25, Augie now hits the road. On Friday, Oct. 16, they head to Carroll for a 6 p.m. game. 

 

Follow the Vikings

Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Augustana women's volleyball by following the team on Twitter at @augieathletics, on Facebook at Augustana Women's Volleyball, and on Instagram at @augie_wvb.