(Crookston, Minn.)- The University of Minnesota, Crookston Volleyball team opened the 2011 Homecoming weekend with an NSIC match against #13 Minnesota State, Mankato. The Mavericks came into the contest attacking at almost .200 on the season. The Golden Eagle defense commanded the respect of MSU as Minnesota, Crookston held the Mavericks to a .109 (42K-27E-138TA) attack percentage in the three-set UMC victory 27-25, 25-18, 28-26.
 
Minnesota, Crookston took Minnesota State by storm and dominated much of the match. Of the 32 tie scores in the match, the Golden Eagles relinquished the lead less than 10 times. The team attacked at a .212 (43K-18E-118TA) clip and owned the Mavericks in the second set with a .343 (15K-3E-35TA) attack percentage. The Golden Eagle defense combined for 62 digs, good for second on the season-high list and earned 11 total blocks in the match. Brittany Looker (OH, 5-10, Fr., Rochester, Minn.) tied a match-high with 16 digs and led UMC with 12 kills and a .286 (12K-2E-35TA) attack percentage. Alyssa Schneider (MH, 6-0, So., Racine, Wis.) had the match of her career as she tallied a career-high eight kills and five block assists. Defensively, libero Chelsea Wiesner (DS, 5-8, So., Rochester, Minn.) recorded 15 defensive digs and she was followed by Danielle Rueter (OH, 5-9, Sr., Burlington, Wis.) who tallied 11 digs. Kelsey Matykowski (S, 5-7, Jr., Sun Prairie, Wis.) and Paige Mitchell (S, 5-11, So., West Palm Beach, Fla.) split time at the setter position and both played sensational earning 15 assists each.
 
Minnesota State was led by Kayla Berning and Chelsea Fogarty who earned 13 and 12 kills respectively. Brittany Stamer led the Mavericks with 32 assists and 16 defensive digs.
 
Minnesota, Crookston is 7-8 overall this season and 2-4 in conference play. Minnesota State falls to 9-5 overall and 2-4 in the NSIC. The Golden Eagles return to the court on Saturday, October 1 to play #6 Southwest Minnesota State University. First serve is scheduled for 5 p.m.
 
For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at: www.goldeneaglesports.com.
 
Follow the Golden Eagles on Facebook at Golden Eagle Sports and on Twitter at @UMCAthletics.
 
The University of Minnesota, Crookston is an NCAA Division II Institution and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Golden Eagle Equestrian team is a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).
 
 
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