SIOUX FALLS, S.D.. – The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball team fell in a thrilling five-set match 3-2 (21-25, 25-23, 24-26, 25-21, 15-13) against University fo Sioux Falls Sat., Sept. 27 at the Stewart Center in Sioux Falls, S.D. The Golden Eagles fall to 7-7 (1-5 NSIC) with the loss, while Sioux Falls improves to 7-8 (2-4 NSIC).

The Golden Eagles were led on the night by Brittany Looker (Sr., OH, Rochester, Minn./Health Science) who had 27 kills and hit .221. After the weekend, Looker needs just 26 kills to move past Allison Kluck for the all-time kills record at UMC. She is just 41 digs from 1,000 digs to become the third player in school history, along with Joan Ebnet and Kendra Corneliusen, to amass 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs.

In addition to Looker, Stephanie Pearson (Jr., OH, Frankfort, Ill./Accounting) added 11 kills and hit .206, while Morgan VanGerpen (Sr., MH, Overland Park, Kan./Early Childhood Education) chipped in 10 kills and hit .421. The Golden Eagles hit .214 for the match led by 48 assists from Sierra Trost (So., Ham Lake, Minn./Health Science).

Defensively, UMC had 74 digs for the match led by 19 from Trost to complete a double-double. Looker also had a double-double with 17 digs, while Casey Cashman (So., Lib., Ashland, Wis./Natural Resources) added 14. Kassi Green (R-Fr., RS, Elementary Education) led the UMC block with one solo block and five block assists.

Sioux Falls had four players with 10 or more kills. Kate Hart led the way with 19 kills and a .283 hitting percentage, while Emily Johnson chipped in 15, Jordan Calef had 12 and Samantha Lovell had 11. Kayla Crane had 27 assists to lead the way, while Sydney Schaap had 26.

Defensively, Abby Folk had 14 digs, while Calef had seven block assists.

The Golden Eagles hit .297 in the first set to win it 25-21. The two teams were tied up at 21-21, but UMC rattled off four straight points led by three Sioux Falls attack errors in order to claim the first set.

Sioux Falls claimed a narrow 25-23 victory in the second set as UMC had eight errors in the second set. The two teams were tied 23-23 late in the set but kills from Michelle Ritland and Calef.

UMC would claim a 26-24 victory in the third set. Both teams were knotted at 24-24 late, but an Emily Johnson service error for USF and a Pearson service ace delivered the third set for UMC.

Sioux Falls would take the fourth set 25-21 to force the fifth set.
Sioux Falls would come away with the fifth set 15-13 after taking seven of the last nine points.

The Golden Eagles will take on Minnesota State University, Mankato Oct. 3 at 7 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).