CROOKSTON, Minn.- The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball team fell 3-1 (25-16, 25-22, 26-28, 25-17) to University of Sioux Falls Sat., Oct. 17 at Lysaker Gymnasium. The Golden Eagles dropped the first  two sets, but won the third and battled in the fourth, but ultimately fell to USF, who picked up two wins this weekend, their first two in NSIC play. Sioux Falls is 10-10 (2-9 NSIC), while UMC falls to 7-12 (3-8 NSIC) with the loss.

The Golden Eagles had a balanced attack on the evening. Maggie Perrel (R-So., RS, New Germany, Minn.) led the team with 12 kills, but also had 13 errors. Perrel had 12 digs on the match, as well. Middle Hitter Erin Schwarz (Jr., Eden Prairie, Minn.) put together a strong showing with eight kills and a .538 hitting percentage to go with one solo block and three block assists. Kassi Green (R-So., OH, Anoka, Minn.) put together her best match of the season with nine kills and a .269 hitting percentage. Stephanie Pearson (Sr., OH, Frankfort, Ill.) would add nine kills.

At setter, Sierra Trost (Jr., Ham Lake, Minn.) had 36 assists and nine digs and helped the team to a .139 hitting percentage.

Defensively, Perrel led the way with 12 digs, while libero Casey Cashman (Jr., DS/Lib., Ashland, Wis.) added 11 digs.

Sioux Falls was led by the play of Makenna Rockeman, who finished with 15 kills and a .217 hitting percentage. Lexi Scott added 11 kills and hit .500, while Bria Barfnecht chipped in 10 kills and hit .278.

USF used three setters on the day. Megan Hamstad led the way with 31 assists, while Kayla Crane had 18 assists. The Cougars hit .224 for the match.

Defensively, Abby Folk led the way with 23 digs, while Janelle Lam chipped in 11. On the block, Scott led the way with four block assists.

USF dominated the first set 25-16 over the Golden Eagles as UMC would hit .100 for the first set.

In set two, the Golden Eagles would put more of a test to Sioux Falls but a .355 hitting percentage would guide the Cougars to the win.

In set three UMC would bounce back. Down 20-16 late, UMC would rattle off five straight points on Trost's serve, including a Pearson kill and a Trost service ace to make it 21-21. Later in the set, UMC would again be down 26-25, but three-straight points led by kills from Perrel and Kelci Green (R-So., MH, Anoka, Minn.) would lead UMC to a 28-26 set three win.

In set four, UMC would get out to an early 5-0 lead on Cashman's serve but Sioux Falls would climb back and take the lead after nine-straight points led by Lam's serve to make it 16-11. USF would control the game from there and would win 25-17 to take the match 3-1.

The Golden Eagles will take on Winona State University Fri., Oct. 23 and Upper Iowa University Sat., Oct. 24 as they hit the road and look to get back on a winning track.

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

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The University of Minnesota Crookston is a NCAA Division II university located in the Red River Valley of Northwest Minnesota. UMC sponsors 11 intercollegiate athletic teams with membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate conference (NSIC) and the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA). The NSIC is a 16-team conference with schools situated in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska.