SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Winona State Warriors (26-4, 17-4 NSIC) defeated the Augustana Vikings (26-5, 17-4 NSIC) in the first round of the NSIC Tournament winning in 3-1 in four sets (20-25, 34-32, 25-19, 25-23). Augustana was victorious in set one but Winona State refused to exit in the first round as they rallied to win the next three sets.
 
The beginning of the first set was virtually deadlocked with both sides staying close as the score was 8-7 in favor of Augustana. A 6-0 Vikings run was too much for the Warriors to make up for as the Winona State comeback fell short with Augustana taking the first set 25-20.
 
Neither team could gain ground on the other in the second set of play as they fought neck and neck for an advantage. As the set reached the 25th point a service ace by Alex Duxbury was followed with a kill by Taylor Goar to keep the set alive. A kill by Maria Fruechte would finally win the second set for the Warriors, 34-32.
 
Through the first two sets of play Augustana and Winona State were nearly identical in hitting percentage as they hit .318 and .317 respectively. Maria Wrage led the Warriors with 12 kills while attacking at .556 percent and adding a block. Goar was a close second with 11 kills including five digs. McKenna Larsen compiled 32 assists as well as added four kills in two sets of play. Danielle Rampart led Winona State with eight digs while tying for the team high in blocks with two. Sophie Wilker tied Rampart with two blocks along with Fruechte, who also added nine kills and six digs.
 
Building off their dramatic second set victory, the Warriors got off to a 5-1 advantage before Augustana fired back to tie the game. From the tie, Winona State slowly built their lead throughout the third set as the Warriors prevailed 25-19. Goar led the way for WSU in their third set victory with eight kills while adding four digs. Larsen added eleven assists to her total and had two kills in the set. Rampart had a set high with seven digs including one block.
 
The fourth was another close set between the two sides as Winona State found themselves up 20-16 over the Vikings. A six point Vikings run turned the tide momentarily as Augustana took a two-point advantage, needing just three points to seal the comeback. With the set locked at 23, the Warriors scored the next two points to finalize the four set victory 25-23. Wrage led WSU with five kills while Rampart and Fruechte followed with four each. Larsen added 13 assists to her impressive total and Goar led in digs with nine. Cairncross was second on the team with five digs in the set.
 
Quick Hitters:
There wasn't a particularly large gap in hitting percentage with two sets being decided by just two points as the Warriors hit at a .285 clip compared to the Vikings .256 hitting percent.
Goar led WSU with 20 kills on the night and also added 18 digs.
Wrage was second with 18 kills while hitting at a .538 clip. The 18 kills were a new career high for the sophomore.
Fruechte finished third in kills with 15 while adding 10 digs and four assists.
Larsen finished with a team high 56 assists while also compiling a serving ace, seven digs and nine kills.
Rampart led WSU with 19 digs and also added seven kills.
Duxbury had two serving aces which was a team high.
Cairncross also 14 digs and two assists.
With the victory Winona State advances to the NSIC semi-finals to face Concordia St. Paul at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.
 
By: Jake Thiede