SIOUX FALLS— The University of Sioux Falls Volleyball team went the half-mile to the Elmen Center on Tuesday to face off with in-city rival Augustana in a key midweek Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) match. What resulted a heart-breaking, straight-set loss for the Cougars, setting the Cougars back to 14-10 overall and 6-10 in NSIC matches.

The Numbers - 
Senior KaSandra Springer paced the Cougars on offense with her 12 kills, which coupled with 14 digs to complete yet another double-double for Springer on the season. Redshirt senior Abby Feyereisen and redshirt sophomore Kenzie Byers were just behind Springer with nine kills a piece.

Junior Krista Goerger had another good night handling the second touches, amassing 34 assists, along with six digs and a kill. Defensively, senior Allie Maloney recorded a team-high 15 digs, along with sophomore TiaRose Nagami (13) and freshman Brooklynne Albrecht (11) to round out the Cougars with double-digit digs.

Springer, Goerger, and freshman Nicole Jacobson all recorded a service ace in the effort.

Augustana outhit the Cougars .259-to.157, which also included 10 blocks for the Vikings.

Match notes -
The Cougars jumped ahead of the Vikings early in set one by the score of 9-6 off a Jacobson kill. The Vikings came back to take a lead on a 5-0 run, but that lead was quickly negated by a 5-0 run by the Cougars to a 14-11 Cougar lead. Down 17-15, the Vikings went on a crucial 7-2 run to take a 22-19 lead over the Cougars, but USF got it to within one with the next two rallies. The final five rallies were traded points, but it was Augustana who was able to escape the set with a win.

Augustana surged ahead to a 15-8 lead in the second set, but the Cougars were able to fight back on a 14-6 run to make it a one-point, 22-21 Augustana lead. The Vikings got the next two points to get the Elmen Center roaring, this before the Cougars returned the two points to quiet the crowd and make it a 24-23 set. Augustana finally capitalized on set point no. three too finalize the set 25-23.

The Vikings again got a strong start to the set, beginning the set on a 9-4 run. The Cougars were able to fight back to within three of the Vikings at 13-10. Augustana heated up for the remainder of the match, ending the match on a 12-4 run.

What is next for the Cougars - 
The Cougars will take a trip to Moorhead, Minn., and Aberdeen this weekend to face MSU Moorhead on Friday and Northern State on Saturday.