ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – Augustana battled one of the best programs in the CCIW, but Illinois Wesleyan ultimately claimed a 3–1 victory over the Vikings inside the Roy J. Carver Center on Wednesday night, 28–26, 25–21, 23–25, and 25–20.

The opening set set the tone for a tightly contested match, with neither side able to create much separation. Augustana found success early behind kills from Aidan Bolen, Ryan Huntington, and Tom Lamb, while Cole Clarke added key points to help keep the Vikings even as the teams traded runs. Midway through the set, Bolen and Huntington helped Augustana move in front, and Clarke later delivered another swing to bring the Vikings within striking distance late. With the score tied at 24-24, the teams exchanged points and moved past the 25 point mark. Bolen gave Augustana set point at 26-25, but Illinois Wesleyan answered with consecutive points to edge out the set, 28-26.

Illinois Wesleyan carried that narrow margin into the second set, but Augustana stayed within reach throughout much of the frame. Clarke and Bryce Lawson provided important points early, and Huntington and Bolen added kills to keep the Vikings within a point on multiple occasions. Augustana trimmed the deficit to 13-12 after a Lamb finish and remained within striking distance as the set progressed. Lawson later recorded a kill to pull Augustana within three at 24-21, but Illinois Wesleyan secured the final point to take a two-set advantage.

Augustana rebounded in the third set. The Vikings pushed Illinois Wesleyan early, with Bolen and Clarke helping establish a rhythm on offense. Lawson and Huntington delivered key finishes during the middle portion of the set, allowing Augustana to stay neck and neck as Illinois Wesleyan tried to pull ahead. After trailing 20-19, Augustana surged late behind consecutive points, including kills from Huntington and Clarke. Huntington then delivered back-to-back finishes down the stretch, including the set-winning point, as the Vikings earned a 25-23 victory to extend the match.

In the fourth set, Augustana continued to battle and stayed close through the early exchanges. Bolen and Clarke each recorded kills to keep the Vikings within reach, and Lawson contributed defensively at the net during a key stretch. After Illinois Wesleyan built a lead midway through the set, Augustana answered with points from Alexander Sulewski and Bolen to cut into the margin. The Vikings continued to push late, but Illinois Wesleyan closed out the final points to secure the match.

Bolen led the Vikings offensively with 12 kills, while Clarke added seven and Huntington and Lamb each finished with six. Sulewski contributed four kills, and Lawson added four more off the bench. Colin Schaefer guided the offense with 28 assists while also adding 10 digs. Colin Alvers and Ryan Dziadkowiec combined for 10 assists, and multiple Vikings contributed defensively throughout the match.

With the loss, the Vikings slipped to 6-4, 1-1 in the CCIW. They return to action at North Park on Saturday, Feb. 28. Opening serve is slated for 3 p.m.