Vikings go 3-1 at Tiger Classic, build momentum for NSIC play

The Augustana volleyball team finished its second tournament of the season with a 3-1 record at the 2025 Tiger Classic in Hays, Kan., moving to 6-2 overall heading into Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play. 

The Vikings opened the 2025 Tiger Classic on Sept. 11 with a four-set win over Northwestern Oklahoma State. Augustana hit .272 as a team in the match, paced by junior outside hitter Reagan Jansen, who tallied 18 kills on a .324 hitting percentage. Senior outside hitter Sydney Tims added 12 kills and four blocks, while junior setter Kiylah Franke recorded 52 assists in the victory.

The team’s only loss of the tournament came against Fort Hays State, a match decided in four sets. After dropping the first set 25-17, the team responded with a dominant 25-14 win in the second, but late errors cost them the third and fourth frames. Jansen led the team with 12 kills, while sophomore outside hitter Lucy Belisle contributed 10.

Despite only winning one set in that match, Tims noticed a positive momentum shift that highlighted the entire weekend.

“I remember this really long rally and a lot of us girls just hitting over and over again,” Tims said. “They kept digging, and after about a minute, it finally ended with one of our players getting a huge kill. We all came into our huddle and were excited for each other. It was the point of the game where we knew we could take the set.”

The following day, Augustana defeated New Mexico Highlands in four sets. Senior middle blocker Maya Wente posted 20 kills, seven blocks and one assist during the match. 

Wente was named to the Tiger Classic All-Tournament team. In total, she finished the weekend with 24 blocks, the most in the NSIC, and 61 kills, second-most in the NSIC. 

Wente’s effort earned her NSIC Defensive Player of the Week honors. Head coach Jennifer Jacobs credited her captain with setting the tone on both sides of the net.

“She killed it,” Jacobs said. “She did everything we needed her to do — blocking, attacking, hitting for a high percentage. I’m proud of all of them, but she really kind of took over a couple matches.”

Augustana closed out the tournament with a 3-2 victory against Midwestern State. The strong finish gave the Vikings their best start in three seasons with six wins throughout eight matches. 

Jacobs said the team’s early results reflect a stronger mindset than in previous years.

“They’re very determined this year to make the postseason,” Jacobs said. “They know it matters every single time they step on the floor. Their mindset’s a little bit more focused and determined, and that’s awesome to see.”

The weekend also highlighted the impact of freshman setter Clara Hoegh. Hoegh tied the four-set program record with 7 aces, a feat last achieved in 2003 by Jackie Hingts.  

“I didn’t realize really that I tied a record until we were leaving the gym that day and the coaches said something,” Hoegh said. “I am proud of that, but it’s really fun to play with this team, and that’s more what I’m taking away from this season so far than any record.”

Jacobs said that the setter has “definitely earned her right to be on the floor” and praised her work ethic.

“It’s not every day a freshman ties a school record,” Jacobs said. “She’s such a positive kid, such a good teammate, and she works really hard.”

Wente, one of the senior captains, said that the performance in Kansas gives the Vikings confidence heading into NSIC competition.

“If we continue to push ourselves as we did in these tournaments, we will create our own momentum moving forward,” Wente said. “I think that this team has amazing potential, and that can be seen in our best moments. Now we are at the challenge of finding that every time we step on the court.”

Jacobs said consistency will be key moving forward.

“Our conference is a gauntlet,” she said. “It’s about taking one match at a time and one set at a time. This group knows what’s at stake, and they’re ready to battle.”

The Vikings will return home Sept. 26 for their first match at home in the Elmen Center as they take on Bemidji State.