ABERDEEN, S.D. – The Viking volleyball team rallied from a 2-0 deficit Saturday, storming back for a crucial conference road win at Presentation College.

VCSU trailed 2-0 in the match after losing the first two sets by scores of 26-24 and 25-20. With their backs against the wall, the Vikings stepped up with three straight victories and secured the match with wins of 25-19, 25-17 and 15-13.

The Vikings opened the fifth set with five straight points, capped by an ace from senior Leah Ruter. Presentation College rallied to tie the set at 11-11, but the Vikings were able to hold off the Saints for the win. Tied 13-13, VCSU took a 14-13 lead after a Saints' serving error, and then VCSU senior Clarissa Olson recorded match point with her 20th kill of the night.

Olson hit .341 in the match, finishing with 20 kills and six block assists. Katie Juarez added 12 kills for the Vikings. Charlotte Huschka led the defense with 24 digs and both VCSU's setters recorded double-doubles. Leah Ruter had 27 assists, 10 digs, five kills and two aces. Reagan Ingstad posted 18 assists, 14 digs and five aces in the match.

The Vikings hit .119 as a team and finished with 54 kills and eight block points. Presentation College hit .077 and had 38 kills and nine block points. VCSU served 10 aces and had 15 serving errors, while Presentation had seven aces and 12 errors.

Valley City State improves to 10-10 overall and 4-3 in conference play. Presentation College drops to 9-11 overall and 2-5 in the NSAA. After the first round through the conference scheduled the Vikings sit in third place in the standings behind Viterbo (7-0) and Bellevue (6-1).

Up next: Valley City State starts the second round of conference play on Wednesday with a match at Dickinson State.