The Peacock volleyball team took a 2-1 lead at #15 Augustana University on Saturday afternoon, but the Vikings rallied in the fourth set to keep the match going and outlasted their guests in the final set to win 3-2. After the loss, UIU falls to 18-6 overall and 9-6 in the NSIC, while Augie improves to 18-7 overall and 9-6 in the conference.
 
Upper Iowa's back line defense was on fire for most of the match as the team posted 123 digs including 35 by Ashley Larson, 32 by Haley Weepie and 20 by Malissa LeClaire. The Peacocks registered 7 team blocks including 6 by Bethany Lovhaug. As good as UIU's defense was, Augustana's defense played as well or better. The Vikings posted 121 digs including 40 by Tahlyr Banks and 14 team blocks fueled by Ashley Wilson's 8 denials.
 
The teams were nearly identical on the stat sheet with Augie holding a two-dig advantage and a one-kill advantage. Anna Winter led the offense for UIU with 18 kills, while Lauren Wombles added 16 and Lovhaug and Haley Poula each chipped in 13 kills. LeClaire handed out 61 assists.
 
In the first frame, the Peacocks trailed 21-17 late in the set, but rallied to tie the match and eventually claim a 25-23 victory. Upper Iowa trailed 23-21 near the end of the second set, but kills by Wombles and Winter tied the score at 23-23. A pair of Courtney Place kills ended the rally and the set in favor of the Vikings as Augie tied the match 1-1.
 
Upper Iowa dominated the opening sequence of the third set jumping out to an 11-3 lead. The Peacocks continued to add pressure as the set moved along and took a 22-9 lead. UIU finished the set off, but not before Augie put together a 9-2 run to close the gap before a Wombles kill ended the set and gave UIU a 2-1 lead.
 
In the fourth set, the Peacocks came out strong and took a 14-9 lead building the lead on their offense. Upper Iowa still led 19-15 later in the set, but the Vikings used a 10-2 run to not only get back in the set, but to win the frame by four points.
 
The teams went back and forth in the fifth set and were tied at 12-12 after a pair of kills by Poula. Augustana used a kill and two blocks to wrap up the set 15-13 and claim the hard-fought win
 
Place led the Vikings with 26 kills, while Tahlyr Banks paced the defense with 40 digs. Alex Banker spread the ball around with 58 assists, while Ashley Wilson posted 11 kills and 8 blocks.
 
Upper Iowa has a busy week on tap as the calendar turns from October to November. The Peacocks will travel to #17 Winona State University on Tuesday night, Oct. 31, and then host the University of Mary and Minot State University on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 3-4.