ROCK ISLAND, Ill. - The University of Dubuque women's volleyball team wrapped up their non-conference schedule on Tuesday night, as they faced the Vikings of Augustana out of the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW). After both teams split through four sets, the Spartans were edged out by the Vikings in the fifth set 15-11.

Both teams were neck-and-neck in the opening set. The Spartans grabbed their largest lead of the set thanks to a 7-0 run (14-8) but the Vikings countered with a 7-0 run as well tying the game at 14-14. As the scored was knotted at 23-23 the Vikings scored the final two points as the Spartans dropped the opening set 25-23.

The Spartans won set two 25-23 tallying 14 kills while striking at an efficient clip of 27%. Senior, Emma Powell proved to be a factor as she recorded 9 of the team's 14 kills. In the third set, once again both teams were even at 11-11. Thanks to some attacking errors by the Vikings and a service ace by Alexis Kammerer, the Spartans extended their lead to 16-11. The Spartans maintained a comfortable cushion and closed out the set scoring the last five points to win 25-16. 

After securing a lead early on, the Spartans dropped set four 25-21 forcing a fifth set. In the match deciding set, quickly the Spartans jumped out to an 8-1 lead with kills from Powell and Ashlee Adler. The Vikings responded with a 10-1 run taking regaining the lead at 11-9. After tying the score at 11-11, the Vikings ended the set on a 4-0 run as the Spartans were defeated 15-11. 

Offensively, three Spartans finished with double digit kills. Powell lead the team with 19 kills, followed by Adler with 12 and Payton Uptagraft collected 11. Kammerer dished out 27 assists while Ashlyn McGinnis recorded 18. Defensive specialist, Katie Wright finished with a season high 31 digs as Powell was second with 26.

Up Next
The Spartans will return to the Stoltz Sports Center for the first time since October 11 as they prepare for a battle of first place in the conference. Friday, October 27 the Spartans will host the Prairie Wolves of Nebraska Wesleyan. Currently, the Prairie Wolves are 6-0 in conference while the Spartans are 5-0. The match is scheduled to start at 6:00 p.m.