Augustana Edges Grinnell in Five-Set Volleyball Thriller

GRINNELL, IA — In a closely contested match that kept the crowd on the edge of their seats, Augustana College (IL) defeated Grinnell College 3-2 in a thrilling women’s volleyball match on September 20th at Darby Gym. The Vikings of Augustana prevailed with set scores of 25-19, 25-26, 15-25, 22-25, and 15-8, improving their record to 10-4, while Grinnell fell to 4-6.

The two teams traded momentum throughout the match, with Augustana taking the first two sets before Grinnell stormed back to even the match at two sets apiece. However, the Vikings secured the victory in the decisive fifth set, outscoring the Pioneers 15-8.

Key Players

For Augustana, Emily Schipper was the standout performer with an impressive 22 kills and a .364 hitting percentage. She was supported by Carmela Carbone, who added 13 kills and a .462 hitting percentage. Kira Nelson also contributed with 15 kills, while Leah Rizzo led the defense with 14 digs and 3 service aces.

Grinnell’s efforts were led by Millie Leonard and Jenna Keller. Leonard tallied 14 kills and led the team with a .421 hitting percentage. Keller added 13 kills and contributed significantly to the team’s blocking game. Emily Brewer directed the offense with 29 assists and also provided strong defensive support with 16 digs.

Match Breakdown

The Vikings came out strong, taking the first two sets with their aggressive attacking and solid blocking. However, Grinnell responded in the third set with improved defense and strong serving. The Pioneers took advantage of Augustana’s errors, winning the third set 25-15 and carrying that momentum into a tight fourth set, which they won 25-22.

The fifth set saw Augustana regain control with efficient hitting and excellent serving. Schipper’s kills and the team’s defensive plays helped the Vikings pull away for the 15-8 victory in the final set.

Final Score
Augustana 3, Grinnell 2
(25-19, 25-26, 15-25, 22-25, 15-8)