WAVERLY, Iowa—The Wartburg volleyball team fell to Augustana in their season home opener, 3-1 (23-25, 25-19, 16-25, 20-25).

Junior Maddie Miller (Johnston) led the team in kills with nine. Sophomore Mallary Erbes (Urbandale) also had a career-high seven kills, tying senior Claire Willenbring (Dyersville) and junior Aryn Jones (Marion). Erbes also had a double-double in recording 14 assists and 10 digs. Junior Maria Brown (Peosta) co-ran the offense, while tallying 19 assists.

In set one, the Vikings went on a five-point run by capitalizing on three Wartburg errors and getting back-to-back kills by Taryn VanEarwage and Jacqueline Kibir-Evans.

The Orange and Black fought back in set two by going on two six-point runs.

As for sets three and four, Augustana would prevail, as it tallied team hitting percentages of .278 and .239 respectively.

Wartburg held the advantage in service aces (5-1), solo blocks (4-3) and total team blocks (5-4).

Up next for the Knights is their own Knights Classic on Friday and Saturday.