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UMM 3, BLC 1
UMM 3, AUG 0

Mankato, Minn. – The Minnesota Morris volleyball team took wins in both their matches on the final day of the regular season (Oct. 29), posting a 3-1 win over Bethany Lutheran in Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) play, and a 3-0 win over Augsburg in nonconference action.

Each win was of the comeback variety, as the Cougars dropped the first set 25-21 to the Vikings, before taking the next three 25-17, 25-15 and 25-21. Then against the Auggies, the Cougars trailed by at least four in each set before winning 25-22, 25-23 and 25-23.

The win over Bethany Lutheran (10-18, 6-8 UMAC) clinches a UMAC Tournament berth for Morris (19-12, 8-6 UMAC), while the victory over Augsburg (15-11) gives the Cougars 19 wins for the second straight season.

Emily Auch with 12 kills and Kaylie Clark with 10 each led the Cougars in the first match against the Vikings, with Auch posting a .344 hitting percentage with only one error. Natalie Thomas directed the offense with 32 assists, with Mandy Allman also pitching in 12.

Brita Humphrey with 21 digs led four players in double figures, as she goes over 20 in a match for the fifth time this season.

Against Augsburg, Morris overcame deficits of 7-2 and 17-12 in the first set, using a 9-to-2 run late to take the lead in the way to the win. In the second, Augsburg jumped out to a 4-1 lead and eventually led 18-11 before the Cougars went on a 10-to-1 tear en route to taking the set. Finally, in the third set, the Auggies went up 4-0 before the Cougars settled down to play mostly even the rest of the way in taking the match.

Auch was the only Cougar to finish with double-digit kills, posting 11 to go over 10 for the second straight time and 16th time this season. Thomas added 31 assists and goes over the 2,600 mark for her career after 63 on the day.

Clark led the defense with 17 digs, her seventh best mark of the season, leaving her with 400 on the year, the 10th best single season in school history.

The Cougars close the season winning six of the final seven games entering the UMAC Tournament on Wednesday, where they will face St. Scholastica on the first round.