MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The University of Minnesota, Morris (5-5) could not carry the momentum from last night into Saturday as they fell twice. #25 Augsburg (7-2) beat the Cougars 3-1 to start the day and then fell 3-0 to Wisconsin La Crosse (7-2).
 
Minnesota Morris came out ready to go on Saturday morning, jumping on Augsburg 15-76 in the first set. The defense was key in the early going, doing a great job of keeping rallies alive before finishing the point off. Cori Becker had four kills and two blocks in the set. Marissa Ekness added five kills and six digs. Morris held the Auggies to just .048 hitting the opening set.
 
Augsburg took it to Morris early in the second set, going up 7-0 before an attack error gave the Cougars a point. The Auggies continued to pile it one going up 12-1 before Abby Tietz gave UMM their first kill of the set. Morris pulled within six at 13-7 but never made it any closer falling 25-18.
 
It was tight set three with both teams going back and forth with each other. Morris held the lead for a majority of the early portion of the set. UMM led 11-7 after a kill from Becker. Augsburg battled back and tied the set 13, before taking a 14-13 lead a moment later. The Cougars trailed for a few points but rallied to a take a 19-18 lead following an Auggie attack error. Augsburg responded with five straight points to take a 23-19 lead late in the set. They would win the set 25-20.
 
Augsburg went up 7-3 in the fourth set as they looked to put the match away. Morris pulled within one on a couple occasions but could not overcome the Auggies. Augsburg would force a Morris timeout after going up 19-15. The Cougars never recovered and lost 25-19.
 
Three Cougars finished in double figures in kills, led by 16 from Tietz. Ekness had 14 and Becker had a season high 12. Katie Reitsma did her best to keep UMM in it, tying her career high in digs with 27. Brooke Decker had 28 assists and 15 digs.
 
In the second match of the day the Cougars offense was held in check by La Crosse which resulted in the sweep.
 
Wisconsin La Crosse fell behind UMM early but rallied back to take a 17-10 lead late in the first set. Morris was unable to slow UWL down and dripped the first set 25-18. La Crosse dug the Cougars 19 times in the opening set.
 
Morris went ahead early in the second set as well, going up 6-3 but once again La Crosse came back. The Eagles would score 14 of the next 17 points in the match to take a 17-9 lead. Wisconsin La Crosse held on for the 25-21 win.
 
The third and final set was a back and forth battle until late in the set. With the score tied at twenty the Eagles scored five straight to win the set 25-20.