Box Score CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota, Crookston took only the seventh set all season an opponent has taken from No. 2 Southwest Minnesota State University but despite a gritty effort fell 3-1 (25-19, 23-25, 25-14, 25-17) to the Mustangs Saturday evening at Lysaker Gymnasium in Crookston, Minn. The Golden Eagles fall to 8-10 (4-7 NSIC) with the loss. SMSU improves to 18-1 (10-1 NSIC) and looks poised to jump to No. 1 this week in the AVCA poll after No. 1 University of Nebraska-Kearney lost matches to Truman State University and Wayne State College (Neb.) this week.

The Mustangs only losses in sets came this season in a 3-0 loss to five-time defending NCAA Division II national champion Concordia University, St. Paul and in sets against BYU-Hawai'I, Minnesota State University Moorhead, Winona State University and UMC.

In the first set, the Golden Eagles came out poised to take on one of the nation's top volleyball teams. UMC got out to an 8-4 lead but SMSU used a 9-1 rally to take a 13-10 advantage and ultimately wouldn't look past. Brooke Burmeister, a 2011 AVCA All-America second team pick, led the onslaught with three kills while 2010 NSIC Offensive Player of the Year Devin Diedrich added two. UMC's early advantage was paced by Katie Miedtke's (Jr., MH, Maple Grove, Minn.) two kills. SMSU out-hit UMC .316 to .079 in the set.

UMC bounced back in the second set in what resulted in a 25-23 win for the Golden Eagles. UMC out-hit their foes .239 to .123 and forced nine attack errors. Brittany Looker (So., OH, Rochester, Minn.) paced the attack with seven kills and hit .583. She also had seven digs in the set, while fellow Rochester-native Chelsea Wiesner (Jr., Lib.) chipped in eight.

Out of the intermission, Southwest Minnesota State looked to be on a mission to make up for the second set loss. The game was close early with SMSU at a 9-7 advantage but the Mustangs would take 9 of the next 12 points to help control the set and ultimately win 25-14. SMSU hit .367 to .033 for the Golden Eagles. A balanced Mustang attack was paced by four kills from McKell Anderson.

In the fourth set, it was again close early but the Mustangs were able to secure a 25-17 set victory to secure the match win. SMSU only hit .116 in the set but forced 10 UMC errors which led to a -.105 hitting percentage in the set for the Golden Eagles.

UMC was led on the night by Looker, who had 12 kills and hit .149. The Golden Eagles ended the night hitting .072 as a team led by the duo of setters Paige Mitchell (R-Jr., West Palm Beach, Fla.), with 15 helpers, and Lindsey Rees (Jr., Bronson, Mich.), with 14 assists.

Defensively, Wiesner tallied over 20 digs for the fifth time in sixth matches with 24 on the night. Alexandra Skeeter (Jr., OH, Milwaukee, Wis.) added 12 digs while Morgan VanGerpen (So., MH, Overland Park, Kan.) had six block assists. Amanda Swann (Sr., OH, Rochester Hills, Mich.) chipped in five block assists.

The No. 2 Mustangs were well balanced throughout but were ultimately led by a double-double of 16 kills and 14 digs from Anderson. SMSU ended the match hitting .208. Brooke Burmeister chipped in 15 kills and Diedrich finished with 11. Freshman setter Emilee Gutzmer had a lot to do with the offense's success had a lot to do with that with her 53 assists. The newcomer also paced a strong Mustang defense with 22 digs. Rachel Westby added 18 digs and Whitney Burmeister had 10 digs. Diedrich added two solo blocks and three block assists.

The Golden Eagles will wrap up a five-match home stand Tuesday against Bemidji State University at 7 p.m. It will serve as the program's “Dig Pink” match with both teams wearing pink to support breast cancer awareness. It will also be the team's “Faculty/Staff Appreciation Night”.

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics Web site at www.goldeneaglesports.com.

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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).