The No. 1 St. Thomas volleyball team defeated No. 4 Augsburg in a thrilling five set MIAC semifinal match Thursday night at Schoenecker Arena.

The Tommies stormed back from a two set deficit, beginning the charge in the third set after Augsburg dominated the first two.

“We just had to play our game,” coach Thanh Pham said, “We were too worried about what Augsburg could do.”

After losing the first two sets 25-22 and 25-20, the Tommies gathered themselves and captured a contested third set. The score was tied eight times in this set.

“We reminded ourselves that this might be our last game, and we have to determine the way we want to end,” senior Hannah Braun said, “We regrouped and lit that fire underneath us, and we said this is not how we play, let’s show them how we play.”

Junior Meghan Mazzola provided a spark for the Tommies as she recorded 41 digs in the final three sets.

“Meghan Mazzola did an amazing job in the back row fighting for balls, getting digs, and that allowed our offense to get going,” Pham said.

The Tommies host No. 2 St. Olaf in the MIAC Championship 7 p.m. Saturday at Schoenecker Arena.

“It means so much, and we haven’t won the conference championship since I’ve been here so it would mean a ton to clinch it my senior year,” libero Ellie Meyer said.

Joey Swanson can be reached at swan5350@stthomas.edu.