Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

BIG RAPIDS, Mich. – The University of Minnesota, Crookston split their matches Friday to open play at the Ferris State Invitational in Big Rapids, Mich. The

Golden Eagles opened the day falling 3-1 (25-19, 18-25, 25-21, 25-23) to Northern Michigan University but bounced back to pick up a 3-0 (25-13, 25-9,
25-14) win over Glenville State College. UMC is 1-1 on the season. Northern Michigan is 1-0 on the year and was scheduled to play Mercyhurst College at 2 p.m. EST. Glenville State is 0-1 on the year and will play Northwood University (Mich.) at 7 p.m. EST.
 
In the first match of the day against the Wildcats of Northern Michigan University, the Golden Eagles lost a close first set 25-19 after getting out to an early 8-4 lead over their foes from Marquette, Mich. UMC bounced back in the second set with a 25-18 win but were unable to put away the Wildcats after going up 8-5 in the third set and holding a narrow advantage at points of the fourth set. Northern Michigan won both the third and fourth sets, 25-21, 25-23 respectively.
 
The Golden Eagles were paced in the first match offensively by the play of 2011 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Honorable Mention pick Brittany Looker (So., OH, Rochester, Minn.), who hit .216 with 12 kills and added 11 digs. Alexandra Skeeter (Jr., OH/S, Milwaukee, Wis.) added nine kills while Amanda Swann (Sr., OH, Rochester Hills, Mich.) had eight kills. By running a 6-2 system this season, UMC's two setters split the assists on the game with Lindsey Rees (R-Jr., Bronson, Mich.) tallying 15 assists and Paige Mitchell (R-Jr., West Palm Beach, Fla.) notching 10 assists.
 
Defensively, libero Chelsea Wiesner (Jr., Rochester, Minn.) paced UMC with 20 digs while Alyssa Schneider (Jr., MH, Racine, Wis.), Swann and Katie Miedtke (Jr., MH, Maple Grove, Minn.) each tallied four block assists
 
Northern Michigan was led by 15 kills from 2011 All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Honorable Mention selection Lina Lopes. In addition, Sarah Hamilton added 12 kills and hit .308 for the match. Kelisha Harley set up her teammates well with 43 assists as the Wildcats hit .200 for the match.
 
Defensively, Alex Berger paced Northern Michigan with 21 digs.
 
In the second match of the day, the Golden Eagles were pitted against head coach Lee Anderson's former team in Glenville State. Anderson and assistant coach Heather Grieser coached the Pioneers from 2005-06 before arriving at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. They coached current Glenville State head coach Camai Roberson while she was a Pioneer.
 
The Golden Eagles were dominant from the start in match two Friday as they hit .442 for the match and had only seven errors the entire match. UMC had a well-balanced attack on the match as six players had five or more kills. Freshman Stephanie Pearson (OH, Frankfort, Ill.) led the way with seven kills and hit .700 while Looker had six kills and hit .750 and Schneider, also with six kills, hit .857. UMC used three setters in the match as Rees tallied 12 assists, Mitchell added nine assists and freshman Eli Manning (S, Huntley, Ill.) had 10 assists.
 
Wiesner paced the defense with 10 digs and helped hold the Pioneers to a .043 attack percentage.
 
Glenville State was led by four kills by Emily Osborne. Stefanie Gladders had seven assists for the Pioneers.
 
Defensively, Heather Stout led the way with six digs.
 
The Golden Eagles will return to action at the Ferris State Invitational Saturday as they face Alderson-Broaddus College at 9 a.m. EST and Clarion University at 2 p.m. EST.
 
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).