SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Winona State University volleyball team entered a key match on the road at Augustana University today looking to gain ground in the NSIC Tournament postseason race. Unfortunately, the Warriors fell to the Vikings 2-3 in a five-set thriller.

The Warriors started the match on fire, connecting for 16 kills on 25 attempts in the opening set and earning a 25-17 victory to take a 1-0 lead in the match. The Vikings answered back in the second set, taking the frame 25-19 and tying the match at one set apiece.

In the pivotal third set, each team attempted 40 swings on the attack, but WSU was able to gain the upper advantage. Winona State hit for 15 kills and only committed four errors. The Vikings were forced into eight errors by the strong WSU defense and held to just 11 kills as the Warriors won the third set 25-20.

In a must-win fourth frame, Augustana jumped out to an early 11-3 lead before Winona State battled back to tie things up at 14-14. The Vikings then regained the lead at 24-21 to earn three set points. Winona State battled off all three set points and eventually earned a set point themselves at 26-25. WSU eventually lost the set, 28-30, as AU evened the match 2-2.

In the fifth and final set, Augustana gained an early advantage that stretched out to 9-3. Winona State tried to battle back, but it was too little too late as the Vikings won the set 15-9 and took the match 3-2.

Jaci Winchell had a career day to lead Winona State on the offensive attack, dishing out a career-high 55 assists. Sidney Paulson, Lydia Lange, and Madison Larson all connected for double-digit kills. Paulson recorded 19, Lange hit 18, and Larson knocked down 13.

On the defensive end, five Warriors corralled double-figure digs as part of WSU's 72-dig effort on the afternoon. Casey Volkmann paced Winona State with 16 digs, while Kylie Welch added 13. Taylor Pagel and Larson were effective at the net for the Warrior defense, tallying a combined 13 block assists and a solo block each.

Winona State (12-13, 8-10) will wrap up the regular season with a pair of home matches next week, hosting the University of Sioux Falls on Friday, Nov. 4 and Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday, Nov. 5. WSU and USF are set for a 6pm start on Friday, while WSU and SMSU will battle at 2pm on Saturday.

For the most up to date news in Warrior Athletics, please visit: www.WINONASTATEWARRIORS.com and @WinonaStateATH.
About Winona State University Athletics: 

The Winona State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, as an integral part of the educational mission of the institution, is committed to offering opportunities to experience academic and athletic excellence for our student-athletes through two simple words: Graduate Champions.  

Fourteen Warrior programs compete at the NCAA Division II level within the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).  Winona State University competes as an affiliate member of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) in the sport of women's gymnastics.