Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 ABERDEEN, S.D. - The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball team picked up a 3-1 win over Minot State University and a 3-0 win over Southwest Baptist University on the first day of the Northern State University Dacotah Bank Volleyball Classic. The Golden Eagles built on their currently unblemished mark, improving to 6-0 on the season and starting the tournament with a 2-0 mark. 

In the first match of the day, the Golden Eagles upended Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) rival Minot State 3-1 (25-23, 25-19, 16-25, 25-16). Minnesota Crookston was led by star player Brittany Looker (Sr., OH, Rochester, Minn./Health Science), who tallied 18 kills and hit .250 for the match, completing a double-double with 10 digs. In addition, Stephanie Pearson (Jr. OH, Frankfort, Ill./Accounting) had her strongest match of the season with a double-double of 12 kills, 13 digs and a .258 hitting percentage. Morgan VanGerpen (Sr., MH, Overland Park, Kan./Elementary Education) added seven kills, hit .294 and had six block assists.

At setter, Sierra Trost (So., S, Ham Lake, Minn./Biology) led the team with 38 assists and helped the team hit .230 on the match.

Defensively, the Golden Eagles were strong with 63 digs overall and five players with double-figure digs. Pearson led the way with 13 digs, while Mary Mikutowski (Sr., Lib., Stillwater, Minn./Health Science) added 12. Looker, Trost and Kaycie Hagen (Fr., S/DS, Savage, Minn./Biology) each added 10 digs. On the block, VanGerpen led the way with six block assists, while Trost added five.

Minot State hit .146 on the match with 29 errors. The Beavers were led by Rachel Fagerburg with 19 kills and a .286 hitting percentage. Jen Dixon added 15 kills. At setter, Emily Byrne tallied 44 assists.

Defensively, Minot State had 68 digs led by Cindy Pelo's 20 digs. Dixon added 15, while Byrne had 12 and Ashley Heavenor had 10. 

In the second match of the day, UMC downed Southwest Baptist 3-0 (25-23, 25-13, 25-17). Looker led the Golden Eagles with 14 kills and a .186 hitting percentage. The Golden Eagles had a strong presence from their middle hitters as VanGerpen had seven kills, hit .333 and had two solo blocks and two block assists. In addition, Erin Schwarz (So., MH, Eden Prairie, Minn./Undecided) had a strong match with six kills, a .500 hitting percentage and five block assists.

At setter, Trost finished the match with 36 assists, seven digs and four block assists. 

Defensively, UMC was led in the second match by Pearson's 15 digs, while Mikutowski added 12 digs and Looker completed her second double-double of the day with 10.

The Golden Eagles will continue play at the NSU Dacotah Bank Volleyball Classic with matches at 2:30 p.m. against St. Cloud State University and 7 p.m. against No. 21 Northern State University.

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).