SIOUX FALLS--The University of Sioux Falls Volleyball Team (6-4, 1-1 NSIC) rallied down two sets to defeat crosstown rival Augustana (5-5, 0-2 NSIC) in dramatic fashion in a 3-2 decision (19-25, 19-25, 25-22, 28-26 and 15-13) on the home floor of the Vikings Saturday night.

USF's victory provided the Cougars with a 4-3 edge in the DII series with the Vikings. Each of USF's wins have come in five sets, including in each of the last two years. A year ago, USF rallied down 2-1 to capture a 3-2 decision by winning the fifth set, 16-14.

Tonight, a trio of USF seniors played a pivotal role in USF's victory and were joined by a two others in rallying back for a win.  

After falling behind 2-0 by losing 25-19 in consecutive sets, the Cougars won a hard-fought third set, 25-22 and then battled through a grueling fourth set for a 28-26 victory, which tied the match at two sets each. Then, USF came up with timely points, produced through efficient hitting, to earn the match win with a 15-13 decision in the fourth set.

Seniors Makenna Rockeman and Bria Barfnecht led the team with 17 kills each. Barfnecht had her third double double of the season by adding 10 digs and also providing a critical six block assists. Sophomore Averey Yaksich added 14 kills of her own as well as three assists. Senior Lexi Scott had 13 kills on 19 attempts for a team-high .684 hitting percentage.

As a team, USF combined for 75 total kills (179 attacks) while holding Augustana to 61 (172 attacks).  USF had a .279-to-.227 advantage in hitting, which played a key role in the win. In reality, USF won nearly every statistical category, which also was key to overcoming the early and major deficit. USF had an 11-9 edge in blocks, 73-58 margin in assists and an 80-71 edge in digs, including 21 from Kasandra Springer and 14 by Anna Peterson. Sophomore Krista Goerger had her second straight double with 56 assists and 13 digs.

The first set started with Augustana and USF each trying to gain momentum. USF rattled off four straight kills, including a powerful slam from Abby Feyereisen, to jump to a 9-8 advantage. However, the Vikings answered with a four-point run to take a 12-9 edge. Augustana gained a 17-14 advantage and finished on an 8-5 run to win the set at 25-19.

The second set began with Augustana pulling out ahead 9-6 when the Cougars called their first timeout. The Vikings continued to apply the pressure and build a 15-8 lead. While USF hit .379 with 14 kills, the Vikings had a better average at .389 and with 16 kills were able to hold USF at bay for a 25-19 victory.

USF started the third set out on top at 6-5 due to stellar offensive performance. The Vikings gained an 11-9 edge before the Cougars, which hit .325 with 18 kills on 40 attacks, rallied to tie the match at 13 following a pair of blocks from Barfnecht.  AU used a 6-2 run to take a 19-17 edge. Then, Barfnecht led a USF rally as the Cougars closed the set on an 8-3 run to cut the deficit to 2-1.   

In a grueling four set, both teams struggled to gain control. After battling to a 6-6 tie, the Cougars used a 6-1 run for a 12-7 advantage.  AU responded with six straight points for a 13-12 edge. The two teams then traded points until the Cougars gained a 27-26 lead.  Scott finished the set with a kill set up by Yakisch to send the match into the fifth set. In tying the match, USF had a slightly better hitting percentage (.184-to-.154) over their rivals although both teams had 16 kills. The Vikings had one more error (8-to-7), which proved costly in a set that saw several momentum shifts.

Through the match, both teams traded bursts of momentum and that held especially true in the final set. When the teams switched sides of the court, USF had an 8-7 lead on a kill by Rockeman. The Cougars won the next point on a kill by Feyereisen to go up, 9-7. USF was able to use the advantage to maintain a slight advantage. USF held two-point advantage at 13-11 and 14-12 before Rockeman closed the set and match with a kill. Clearly, USF's hitting in the final set proved to be the difference. The Cougars outhit Augie, .417-to-.158 with an 11-to-6 edge in kills. USF had just one error on its 24 attacks while Augie had three errors on its 19 attacks.

The USF Volleyball Team will travel to face No. 7 Southwest Minnesota State on Tuesday, Sept. 11 at 6 p.m., in Marshall, Minn.