SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -  The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball team dropped a pair of five-set thrillers Fri., Sept. 11 at the Sanford Practice Gymnasium as part of the Augustana Volleyball Showcase. The Golden Eagles fell 3-2 to Northwest Missouri State University in the morning and then fell 3-2 in the evening to Black Hills State. The Golden Eagles fall to 3-3 on the season. Northwest Missouri State improved to 5-0 with the win, while Black Hills State improved to 3-3.

The Golden Eagles dropped the first set to the Bearcats, 25-18, but then bounced back with wins in the second and third set (25-19, 25-22). A fourth set victory for Northwest Missouri State forced a fifth set. The Bearcats would take the fifth after it was tied 14-4 but kills from Shelby Duren and Maddy Bruder would give the Bearcats the victory.

The Golden Eagles were led by Maggie Perrel (R-So., RS, New Germany, Minn.), who had 14 kills and 13 digs. Stephanie Pearson (Sr., OH, Frankfort, Ill.) had 10 kills and 29 digs, her fourth double-double of the season. Kali Erickson (Jr., OH, Fargo, N.D.) added 12 kills.

Sierra Trost (Jr., S, Ham Lake, Minn.) led the offense with 47 kills as they hit .108 on the morning.

Defensively, Pearson led the team with 29 digs while libero Casey Cashman (Jr., Ashland, Wis.) had 17 digs. Trost tallied 13 digs, as did Perrel. UMC had a strong block, led by Kelci Green (R-So., MH, Anoka, Minn.) had one solo block and eight assisted blocks. Erin Schwarz (Jr., MH, Eden Prairie, Minn.) had two solo blocks and eight assisted blocks.

Northwest Missouri State was led by 15 kills from Duren. Bruder tallied 12 kills, while Jackie Becker with 11 kills, while Miranda Foster had 10 kills. The Bearcats hit .116 in the first match of the day

Sarah Dannettell had 52 assists on the match.

Defensievly, Bruder led the team with 25 digs, while Aarika Wittenburg had 20, Dannettell added 11 and
Foster had 10. Alexis Williams had six block assists, while Bruder had five block assists.

In the second match of the day, Black Hills State took the first two sets (26-24, 25-22). The Golden Eagles took the third and ofurth sets (25-23, 25-11). Black Hills State took the final three points of the fifth set to win 15-11 to take the match.

Kelci Green and Perrel led the way with 16 kills. Green hit .452 for the match with just two errors. Schwarz tallied 12 kills, while Pearson had 11 kills. Trost led the offense with 54 assists, while hitting .146.

Defensively, Pearson led the way with 22 digs, while Kaycie Hagen (So., S/DS, Savage, Minn.) tallied 16 digs. Cashman had 13 digs, while Trost had 12.

Black Hills State was led by 20 kills from Danielle Torpey. Kenzie Kramer had 10 kills on the match. Brynn Eckhardt led the Yellow Jackets with 46 assists, while the team hit .199.

Defensively, Lacy Stevens led the way with 30 digs, while Eckhardt had 17.

The Golden Eagles will face No. 8 Grand Valley State Sat., Sept. 12 at 10 a.m. UMC will take on Southwest Baptist University at 4 p.m.

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.