CROOKSTON, Minn.- The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball team fell 3-0 to No. 8 Grand Valley State University but bounced back with a 3-2 win over Southwest Baptist University to pick up their second five-set win of the season. The Golden Eagles improved to 4-4 with the split on the second ay at the
Augustana Volleyball Showcase at the Sanford Practice Gymnasium in Sioux Falls, S.D.

In match one of the day against Grand Valley State, the Golden Eagles fell 25-16 in the first set but bounced back to compete in the second and third sets, falling 25-22 and 25-20.

The Golden Eagles were led by Kali Erickson (Jr., OH, Fargo, N.D.), who had 10 kills with a .333 hitting percentage, putting together one of her best matches. Stephanie Pearson (Sr., OH, Frankfort, Ill.) added 10 kills and had 15 digs.

Sierra Trost (Jr., S, Ham Lake, Minn.) led the team with 29 assists, while the team hit .135.

Defensively, Casey Cashman (Jr., DS/Lib., Ashland, Wis.) led the team with 16 digs, while Pearson had 15 and Trost had 11. On the block, Kelci Green (R-So., MH, Anoka, Minn.) and Trost each had three block assists.

Staci Brower led Grand Valley State with 14 kills, while Betsy Ronda and Brooke Smith each had eight kills. At setter, Katie Olson added 17 assists, while Taylor Stewart had 15.

Defensively, Taylor Shomin led the team with 10 digs.

In the second match of the day against Southwest Baptist, UMC won the first set 25-20. The Golden Eagles fell 25-21 in set two, but bounced back with a 25-19 win in the third set. In set four, UMC fell 25-23. The Golden Eagles would come through in the fifth set, winning 15-12 to win their first five-setter of the weekend, after losing two on Friday.

Maggie Perrel (R-So., RS, New Germany, Minn.) led the team with 16 kills and added 11 digs. Pearson added 10 kills and 16 digs. Trost had 40 kills, as the team hit well with a .224 hitting percentage. Defensively, Pearson led the team with 16 digs, while Trost had 15, Cashman had 11 and Kaycie Hagen (S0., DS/S, Savage, Minn.) had 10. On the block, Erin Schwarz (Jr., MH, Eden Prairie, Minn.) led the way with one solo block and five block assists.
Southwest Baptist was led by Payton White, who had 12 kills, while Lori Angello added eight kills and Taryn Marton had nine kills. Anna Stuehm had 23 assists, while Brea Freeman had 13. Southwest Baptist hit .112 on the match.

Defensively, Hannah Blount led the team with 16 digs. Morton added 15.

The Golden Eagles will open up their 2015 home slate Sat., Sept. 19 at St. Cloud State 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.