BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The Augustana Vikings men's volleyball team pushed Illinois Wesleyan to five sets Wednesday night but ultimately fell in a tightly contested CCIW matchup, 3–2, inside the Shirk Center.

Augustana opened the match by claiming the first two sets, each by a 25–23 margin, in a pair of closely contested frames. The Vikings established an early rhythm in the opener behind swings from Aidan Bolen, Ryan Huntington, and Alexander Sulewski, helping build an early edge. Illinois Wesleyan responded midway through the set, tightening the score as the teams traded points late. Kills from Tom Lamb and Sulewski, along with a block from Bolen and Lamb, helped Augustana hold off the Titans' push to secure the opening set.

The second set followed a similar script. Bolen and Sulewski again played key roles offensively while Colin Schaeferdirected the attack. Augustana created a small cushion late in the set, highlighted by a block from Lamb and Bolen that pushed the Vikings ahead 22–19. Illinois Wesleyan worked back within a point late, but Augustana held steady in the closing rallies to claim another 25–23 set and take a 2–0 lead in the match.

Illinois Wesleyan answered in the third set, using several scoring runs to create separation and eventually claim the frame 25–14 to extend the match.

The fourth set proved to be the most competitive stretch of the night. Augustana held the advantage through much of the middle portion of the frame. Consecutive blocks from Lamb and Schaefer, along with a service ace from Bolen, helped the Vikings build a 19–13 lead. The Titans gradually chipped away and eventually pulled even late in the set. The teams traded points through several ties before Illinois Wesleyan edged the Vikings 28–26 to force a decisive fifth set.

The final set again featured a back-and-forth battle early. A block from Lamb helped Augustana briefly move in front, and the Vikings remained even through the middle portion of the set as Schaefer and Huntington added key points. Illinois Wesleyan gained a narrow edge late and held it in the closing rallies to secure the 15–12 set win.

Bolen led the Vikings with 16 kills, while Cole Clarke added 12 and Sulewski contributed 11. Huntington finished with six kills, and Lamb added five while also contributing at the net with five total blocks.

Schaefer paced the offense with 47 assists and added eight digs. Defensively, Colin Alvers recorded a team-high 13 digs, while Bolen added 10.

Augustana slips to 8–6 overall and 2–3 in CCIW play. The Vikings return to the court on Saturday, March 14, traveling to North Central for a 3 p.m. first serve.