Fighting for a reputation: Volleyball attempts to overcome age, strong conference

Mark Twain once said, "The weakest of all weak things is a virtue that has not been tested in the fire."

The Augustana Vikings volleyball team has been tested in that fire several times this year. Through tough losses, solid victories, and growth in consistent play, they are steadily improving.

"We can compete with the top teams in the country," freshman Lindsey Petersen said.  "We just need to keep building our confidence." 

After suffering a heart-breaking loss in a five-set decision to the nation's No. 1 ranked team, Minnesota Duluth, the Vikings concluded their a tough stretch of matches with losses to No. 3 ranked Southwest Minnesota State and No. 16 ranked Minnesota State-Mankato.

"We've learned that not only can we compete, but we can win big matches if we play a consistent and aggressive game," head coach Ashley Buckley said.  "I've enjoyed watching the belief of our players grow by the week."

Buckley and her squad are hoping to build on that confidence and belief.  Helping foster that culture are senior Brianna Erickson, who is leading the team with 54 blocks this season, and sophomore Dani Haley, seventh in the conference in assists with an average of 9.88 per game.

"Bri Erickson and Dani Haley have also done a nice job of stepping up as leaders and have taken more ownership in the program," Buckley said.

Along with the two experienced leaders, sophomore libero Grace Sanders is third in the conference with an average of 5.38 digs per game, while sophomore Brooke Lewko is fifth in the conference, averaging one block per game.

"I'm proud of the defensive efforts we've given each day," Buckley said. "We're starting to get more balanced production from multiple players in the front row."

Petersen has provided another bright spot for the Vikings, ranking tenth in the conference for service aces per game.

With elevated play from the team's young standouts, the Vikings are being coached to believe more in themselves each week, and to not settle on being  a middle of the pack team, and fulfill their goal of going to the playoffs.

"If we finish the season strong, I think we can contend," Petersen said.  "We continue to mature and grow as a team with each match we play."

With a record of 9-9 (5-4 NSIC), the Vikings are looking to take a break from competing against the nation's top 20 and pick up a couple more road wins this upcoming weekend taking on Minnesota State-Moorhead on Oct. 15 and then Minnesota-Crookston on Oct. 16.

"Hopefully we can get a couple wins on the road and go into our matches coming up with some confidence," Petersen said.