MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - The Bethany volleyball team lost 3-0 at Augsburg on Wednesday night, dropping to 0-4 overall.
Bethany got off to a hot start in the opening frame with a 4-1 early lead, but the Auggies claimed five straight points to take the lead for good. Augsburg rattled off seven consecutive points midway through the set and went on to win 25-15.
The Vikings tied the score four times early in the second and went on a 10-3 run midway through to gain a 21-20 advantage. A kill by Lilly Mehrkens gave the Vikings a 22-21 lead, but the home squad finished the set on a 4-1 run for a 25-23 win.
The third set went back and forth with three lead changes and 13 ties, resulting in a 14-14 score. From that point, though, the Auggies went on a 6-0 run and the Vikings were never able to recover in a 25-22 loss.
Augsburg's attack was on point, hitting at a .398 rate while the Vikings posted a .188 attack percentage. Mehrkens and Lexiss Trygg paced the offense with eight kills apiece. Abby Distad posted 26 assists, while Mehrkens and Avery Carlson led the defense with five digs each.
Bethany hosts Concordia Friday night for its home opener at 7 p.m.
