CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball team fell 3-0 to Minnesota State University, Mankato Fri., Oct. 30 at Lysaker Gymnasium. The Golden Eagles battled at times and were up 23-19 but errors and the play of the Mavericks' Krista Hassing, who had 18 kills with no errors, would guide Minnesota State to the win.

The Mavericks improved to 15-8 (9-6 NSIC) with Friday's victory, while UMC falls to 7-16 (3-12 NSIC) as they lost their eighth-straight.

The Golden Eagles attempted to switch things up as they moved to a 6-2 rotation for the first time this season, utilizing two setters. UMC was led by Kali Erickson (Jr., OH, Fargo, N.D.), who would play one of the best matches of her career with eight kills and a .238 hitting percentage. Maggie Perrel (R-So., RS, New Germany, Minn.) added seven kills and hit .200.

At setter, Sierra Trost (Jr., S, Ham Lake, Minn.) led the way with 14 assists, while Kaycie Hagen (So., DS/S, Savage, Minn.) added nine. The Golden Eagles would finish the match hitting .103 with 30 kills and 20 errors.

UMC's defense was led by Pearson's seven kills while libero Becca Vandenheuvel (So., DS/Lib., Cannon Falls, Minn.) added six. The UMC block was led by Erin Schwarz (Jr., MH, Eden Prairie, Minn.) with one solo block and five block assists.

Minnesota State was led by Hassing's 18 kills and .600 hitting percentage. Courtney Anderson had seven kills, while Lexi Platz and Sydney Geisness added six.

At setter for the Mavericks, Autumn Risch led the way with 37 assists as Minnesota State hit .391 with 46 kills and just 10 errors.

The Minnesota State defense was led by Haley Fogarty with 16 digs, while Risch added nine. Hassing led the block with two solo blocks and three block assists. Courtney Anderson added one solo block and four block assists.

The Golden Eagles would have a 12-9 lead early in the first set after a Pearson kill. The Mavericks would quickly turn the tide by taking the next seven points to lead 16-12 over UMC. The Golden Eagles wouldn't be able to find their stride after that as they fell 25-16 to the Mavericks.

The Mavericks would control play in the second set to go up 2-0 after a 25-17 win.

The Golden Eagles would play well in the third set, especially early on, as they would lead 14-11 after a Rissi McNallan service error. UMC would take the lead again 23-19 on a Schwarz and Pearson block. 

However, Minnesota State would rally for the final six points to take the set 25-23 and the match 3-0.

Minnesota Crookston will take on No. 3 Concordia University, St. Paul Sat., Oct. 31 at 4 p.m.

During Saturday's match, UMC setter Sierra Trost and her non-profit "Forget Me Not" put on an Alzheimer's Awareness night and raised over 750 dollars toward Alzheimer's research.

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 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.
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