WINONA, Minn. --- The Warriors battled Augustana in McCown Gymnasium on Friday night, falling in four sets (26-24, 16-25, 22-25, 16-25). 

Winona State opened its match against Augustana with a hard-fought 26-24 victory in the first set. The Warriors traded points with the Vikings to start the frame, with Abby Ongna, Zoe Haan, and Sophia Armstrong adding key kills. Maddie Brown contributed a service ace to give Winona State an early boost. The set remained tight late, before Brown delivered a kill to put the Warriors ahead. Haan followed with back-to-back kills, including the set-clinching point, to secure the 26-24 win. 

In the second set, the Vikings took an early lead, but the Warriors responded with kills from Ongna, Armstrong and Brown. Haan and Shields added aces to help Winona State build some momentum. Augustana maintained control through the middle of the set, using a strong offensive stretch to extend its advantage. Callie Carr added a late kill, and Ellie Bruns recorded a service ace, but the Warriors were unable to close the gap as Augustana secured the 25-16 win. 

In the third set, the Warriors found themselves in another close set. The Warriors got kills early in the set from Ongna, Brown, Haan and Armstrong.  Four service aces from Brown, Haan, Bruns and Peters helped Winona State stay within reach, and the Warriors pulled within one point at 23-22 late in the set. However, Augustana closed out the final two points to take the set 25-22. 

In the final set, the Warriors kept the opening points close, with Ongna and Carr providing kills while Haan and Bruns added service aces. Ongna continued to lead the offense, with Haan and Carr contributing additional kills as Winona State looked to close the gap midway through the set. Augustana pulled away late with a strong offensive stretch and closed out the set 25-16. 

CHECKING THE BOX SCORE 

•  Abby Ongna led the team with 20 kills. 

•  Hailee Peters led all Warriors with 43 assists. 

•  Lily Shields recorded 17 digs. 

•  Sophia Brown totaled two blocks.  

•  Ellie Bruns provided three service aces. 

NEWS & NOTES 

•  Winona State fell to 5-20 overall and 1-8 in NSIC play. 

•  Wayne State improved to 18-9 overall and 12-8 in NSIC play. 

•  The Warriors are now 17-23 all time against the Vikings. 

UP NEXT 

The Warriors will host No. 4 Wayne State at 4:P.M. at McCown Gymnasium for their final game of the regular season. 

Stay connected with Winona State University Athletics all season long by following the Warriors on social media at @WinonaStateATH (X/Instagram), @winonastatewarriors (YouTube) and Winona State Warrior Athletics (Facebook). Catch full schedules, scores and stories at winonastatewarriors.com.