AURORA, Ill. (WLCSports.com) - Wisconsin Lutheran College dropped a four-set battle to Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference unbeaten Aurora, 3-1, on Thursday at Thornton Gymnasium.

The Warriors (7-10, 2-3 NACC) fell in a closely-contested NACC match to the Spartans by scores of 25-16, 23-25, 25-23, 25-19. 

WLC found itself trailing 16-5 in the first set before a 6-0 scoring run brought them within five. Wisconsin Lutheran maintained its five-point deficit at 18-13 before AU pulled away for a 25-16 win. A back-and-forth second set featured 14 ties and seven lead changes. The Warriors faced their largest deficit at 16-13 before a 6-1 run put them ahead 19-17. With the set tied for the final time at 23-23, WLC netted the final two points, including a kill from sophomore Shannon Rusch (Edgerton, Wis.) for a 25-23 victory. Wisconsin Lutheran trailed 4-1 early in the third set before hanging around to take its first lead at 16-15. The Warriors held an 18-17 lead before three straight points from Aurora put them ahead as they held on for a 25-23 win. WLC led 8-5 in the fourth set before a 10-2 run by the Spartans put them in front for good. Wisconsin Lutheran closed within 18-16, but couldn't get any closer as it dropped the fourth set 25-19.

Rusch registered her first career double-double with a career-high 12 kills and 10 digs for Wisconsin Lutheran, which hit .148 for the match. Junior Lydia Biggin (Burlington, Wis.) also added 12 kills along with three service aces. Seniors Karah Valerio (Pewaukee, Wis.) and Emma Incaprero (Mauston, Wis.) distributed 22 and 17 assists, respectively. 

Senior Kylee Gnabasik (Jefferson, Wis.) led the team with 14 digs. Senior Amahra Matthai (Plover, Wis.) hit .462 and tallied five block assists, while junior Hannah Vriezen (Marion, Iowa) and freshman Elexa Varden (Dixon, Ill.) added four blocks apiece.

Kate Poellmann posted a match-high 16 kills for AU (11-9, 5-0 NACC), which hit .220 for the match.

The Warriors host Benedictine (8-9, 4-1 NACC) on Saturday at 12 p.m. for Alumni Day. Live coverage links can be found at WLCSports.com.