SAINT PAUL, MINN.—Senior defensive specialist/libero Jenna Rubbelke added her third career school record to a decorated resume against Augsburg at Hutton Arena on Wednesday night, but the Pipers dropped a 3-0 (25-14, 25-23, 25-23) decision.
Rubbelke needed 18 digs entering Wednesday to break Heidi Larsen's (2007-10) career record of 2,034. She accomplished that feat on the final rally of the match, which put her at 2,035 for her career. Rubbelke is also the Hamline career leader in service aces (181) and digs per set (5.49) through tonight's match.
The Pipers fall to 8-13, 1-5 MIAC, while the Auggies improve to 12-10, 4-2 MIAC.
Augsburg 3, Hamline 0 (25-14, 25-23, 25-23)
Hamline managed to tie Augsburg on three occasions in set one, which included an 11-11 score. The Auggies closed the frame with a 14-3 run thanks to 10 kills and two services aces as a team that locked them a 25-14 win.
The second frame resulted in four lead changes, which included a 14-12 Hamline advantage behind two kills a piece from Riley Melby and Lindsay Eckelman, as well as Rubbelke's ace and six combined Auggie errors. Augsburg came back with a 5-1 run that put them in the driver's seat for good despite that Hamline cut their deficit to one point on seven more occasions, which included a 24-23 score. The final point of the frame was a Piper attack error, which sealed a 25-23 win for Augsburg.
Deja vu took its toll in set three, where Augsburg never trailed despite three tied scores and six different one-point deficits, which included a 24-23 score. It was the following rally Rubbelke recorded her record-breaking dig, but an attacking error on the play doomed Hamline in another 25-23 loss.
Lauren Wilborn paced Hamline with 10 kills along with nine digs for the Pipers, who hit .087 in the match against the Auggies' .220 mark. Lindsay Eckelman had a team-leading three total blocks to go with five kills. Kaitlyn Kotek and Kayli Starkey ran the offense with 14 and 13 assists, respectively.
The Auggies were led by Bri Van Well and Elizabeth Oster's 10 kills apiece, set up by Angel Vo's 22 assists.
Hamline will enjoy a six-day break from competition before they host Bethany Lutheran at Hutton Arena on Tuesday, October 22 at 7 p.m.
