MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The Gustavus volleyball team traveled to Augsburg Friday night and fell to the No. 18 Auggies 3-2. With the loss the Gusties fall to 7-7 and 0-1 in the MIAC on the season while the Auggies are 11-2 and 1-0 in conference play.
Set one started out even with the teams being tied 6-6 before Augsburg seized momentum and ran out to leads of 9-6 and 15-10. Gustavus rallied back though, trailing 22-19 they were able to score three straight to even things at 22. The teams would trade points to 24 before two straight Auggie points cemented the victory.
Set two was Augsburg early as they took the lead early and never gave it up. They jumped out to a 5-1 lead and as big as a 15-8 lead before Gustavus scored five straight to pull it within two. The Auggies rattled off four straight and retook a six point lead and eventually closed out the set 25-16.
Set three was all Gusties though, as the visitors never trailed. The two teams traded points early, going back and forth early before three straight points for the Black and Gold gave them a 8-5 lead. The Auggies would pull the lead down to one but five straight points for the Gusties would push their lead to 14-8. Augsburg would score two straight but after that Gustavus would push their lead to five and never lead by less as they took the set 25-17. The Gusties had 15 kills in set three with just five errors and an attack percentage of .323.
In set four the Gusties rode their momentum from the previous set to jump out to a 5-0 lead. The Gusties would continue to build their lead eventually, taking as big as an eight-point lead at 17-9. The Auggies would rally to bring the set within five but Gustavus would close the set out 25-18.
In the final set the Auggies jumped out early and were able to hold an 8-5 lead at the halfway point. Just when it seemed the Gusties started gaining momentum a long rally ensued and it looked like an Augsburg player played consecutive touches, which would have pulled some momentum back the Gusties way, however, play went on and the Auggies won the rally and halted that momentum and went on to win the set 15-11 and the match 3-2.
Kate Holtan (Jr., Rochester) led the attack for the Gusties with 16 kills while Sarah Elliott (Fy., Lombard, Ill.) had 12. Kaylyn Johnston (Fy., Urbana, Ill.) had 28 set assists while Mitaya Johnson (Sr., Kasson) had 17. Hailey Embacher (Jr., Mankato) anchored the defense with 26 digs while Johnston had 13.
The Gusties are next in action on Thursday when they host St. Olaf at 7 p.m.