CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball team snapped an 11-match losing streak dating back to Oct. 3, 2015 with a 3-1 (25-21, 24-26, 25-8, 25-19) over Minot State University. The Golden Eagles hit .271 for the match with 55 kills and 17 errors as they improved to 8-19 (4-15 NSIC) with Friday's win. Minot State falls to 3-23 (0-19 NSIC) with the loss.

The Golden Eagles got several stand out performances led by a career game by Alyssa Muelken (So., MH, Savage, Minn.), who has stepped into the starting line-up due to an injury to Erin Schwarz (Jr., MH, Eden Prairie, Minn.). Muelken had 10 kills and hit .500 from her middle hitter position. She added two solo blocks and three block assists. Maggie Perrel (R-So., RS, New Germany, Minn.) added 13 kills and had 11 digs to complete a double-double. Kali Erickson (Jr., OH, Fargo, N.D.) had a strong night with 11 kills and a .304 hitting percentage.

The UMC setters had a strong night helping UMC to their .271 hitting percentage. Sierra Trost (Jr., S, Ham Lake, Minn.) led the way with 26 assists, while Kaycie Hagen (So., S/DS, Savage, Minn.) chipped in 20 helpers.

Defensively, the Golden Eagles were led by domination on the block from Kelci Green (R-So., MH, Anoka, Minn.). Green had six block assists and two solo blocks on the night. UMC would finish with 14 blocks on the night. At libero, Casey Cashman (Jr., DS/Lib., Ashland, Wis.) led the way with 19 digs. Perrel added 11, while Stephanie Pearson (Sr., OH, Frankfort, Ill.) added 10.

Minot State would hit .096 on the evening with 43 kills and 29 errors. Shaunessy Dauwalder had 11 kills and hit .364, while Mallory Sall added 11 kills, as did Taylor Butters. At setter, Kelsey Dewulf finished with 32 assists.

Defensively, Dewulf, Sall and libero Rachel Fagerburg each finished with 14 digs. The block was led by Dauwalder's five block assists.

Minot State would challenge UMC late in the first set but a Kassi Green (R-So., RS, Anoka, Minn.) kill and a Sall attack error would help UMC to a 25-21 win.

In the second set, UMC would lead 24-22 late but would let the Beavers back into the match as they had four straight attack errors to help Minot State to a 26-24 set win.

UMC would leave no doubt in the third set as they won 25-8 over Minot State.

UMC would be able to take the fourth set 25-19 culminating with a Perrel kill to deliver the set.

The Golden Eagles will wrap up the 2015 season against University of Mary at 4 p.m. at Lysaker Gymnasium. The match will serve as Senior Day for the Golden Eagles as they honor the contributions of Pearson, the lone senior for the program.

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.