From VCSU Athletics (Zac Lucy Photography)

LA CROSSE, WIS. (vcsuvikings.com) – Despite a strong start for the Valley City State volleyball team Saturday, the No. 9 Viterbo V-Hawks upended the Vikings 3-1 by final scores of 22-25, 25-16, 25-20 and 25-16.

The Vikings halted a four-game streak of 3-0 victories for Viterbo. VCSU is also the first conference team to hand the V-Hawks a set loss. Viterbo improves to 13-5 on the season and 3-0 in the NSAA. VCSU falls to 7-8 overall and 2-1 in conference play.

VCSU’s offense produced 16 kills on a .306 percentage in the first set to down the V-Hawks 25-22. From there, Viterbo stepped up with a 7-0 run in set two to pull away with a 25-16 win.

Then in set three, the Vikings used a 6-2 rally – including two kills apiece from Danielle Hagler and Bailey Nelson – to close the gap and trail just 22-19. Viterbo held on though, and took the set 25-20. The V-Hakws continued their momentum into the fourth set, committing just three errors en route to the 25-16 victory and 3-1 match.

VCSU’s Bailey Nelson tallied 13 kills Saturday while Danielle Hagler added nine. Morgan Nelson, Morgan Freije and Emma Lucas finished with seven kills apiece. Sadie Hansen contributed 41 set assists for VCSU.

The Vikings totaled a new season-high 20 total blocks Saturday including a career-best eight touches by Morgan Nelson. JayCee Richter totaled 12 digs and Lexi Leroux added nine.

Viterbo’s Kenzie Winker tallied a game-high 17 kills while Grace Rohde totaled 12. Lauryn Sobasky had 26 assists in the match and Adriana Reinhart added 20 digs for the V-Hawks.

UP NEXT: VCSU returns home on Friday, Sept. 30 to host (RV) Dakota State University. First serve is at 6 p.m.