Must-win for Big Blue in 3-0 sweep of Augustana

Decatur, IL—Millikin University women's volleyball hosted Augustana College for a Collegiate Conference in Illinois and Wisconsin contest on Student-Athlete Mental Health Awareness Night with The Hidden Opponent. The Big Blue went for a well-fought sweep over the Vikings, improving their season to 12-14 (3-4 CCIW).

Momentum was all on the Big Blue side with aggressive swings through the floor and at high hands, taking a .292 hitting efficiency with 11 kills in set one and holding Augustana in the negatives. Maggye Smith opened the match with five kills at a .300 clip, leading all players on the court.

Millikin and Augustana went point for point with three ties and one lead change in the second set. Following a Big Blue timeout at 24-23 to regather, the set extended with both teams giving their all. On an attack error by a Viking, the Big Blue took set two 27-25.

"We had multiple players step up in key moments," says Interim Head Coach Hannah Dick. Gabriella Ricci and Nikkel Johnson held a block party, pairing up at the net with three block assists apiece to shut down the strong Augustana outside hitter in the second.

The beginning of set three went tit for tat as the Vikings were continuing to fight for another chance, causing six ties and five lead changes in the first 16 points. Not reserving enough gas, the Big Blue were able to get away with the set, taking the match with a final score of 25-17.

"I thought we did a good job handling Augustana's serve pressure, which allowed us to stay balanced offensively," expresses Dick. Smith finished with nine kills on a .250 efficiency, Elle Richards five on .267, and four players with four kills.

Haylee Porter led the offense with 13 assists, eight digs, and one service ace. Alyssa Frederking added 11 assists and seven digs of her own. Leading the back row was Thayleah Hall with nine digs on top of her four kills at the net.

"The energy from the crowd was contagious tonight and really helped fuel our momentum. This was a must-win match for us, and I'm really proud of the way our team responded; an all-around great team win," reflected Coach Dick.

The Big Blue take the court tomorrow morning at the Illinois Wesleyan University Tournament to face University of California Santa Cruz. First serve is set for 10 a.m. in Shirk Center, also being streamed on the CCIW Network.