WALTHAM, Mass. -  The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball team ended the Bentley University Invitational  in Waltham, Mass. with a great showing, defeating host Bentley University 3-0, and 2015 NCAA Tournament participant University of New Haven 3-0. The Golden Eagles ended the tournament with a 3-1 mark with their only loss coming to No. 17 Florida Southern College, who went 4-0 on the tournament.

The Golden Eagles were highlighted on the weekend by the play of senior outside hitter Stephanie Pearson (Frankfort, Ill.), who had a great showing averaging 3.27 kills and 3.53 digs per set. Pearson earned All-Bentley University Invitational honors. Maggie Perrel (R-So., RS, New Germany, Minn.) also had a strong showing on the weekend, averaging 2.60 kills and 2.73 digs per set. Sierra Trost (Jr., S, Ham Lake, Minn.) finished with 10 assists per set in four matches. Trost also averaged 3.53 digs per set. Erin Schwarz (Jr., MH, Eden Prairie, Minn.) led the block on the weekend, averaging 0.97 blocks per set.

In game one of Saturday, the Golden Eagles would defeat Bentley 3-0 (25-17, 25-17, 25-23). The Golden Eagles would be led on the match by Perrel, who had an outstanding match with 15 kills and hit an amazing .407 for the match with just four errors. The Golden Eagles would finish the match hitting .253 on the match led by the play of setter Trost, who finished with 31 assists. Trost added six kills from the setter position, while Kali Erickson (Jr., OH, Fargo, N.D.) had six kills and hit .385.

Defensively, Trost led the way with 17 digs, while Casey Cashman (Jr., DS/Lib., Ashland, Wis.) had 11 digs. On the lock, Schwarz had one solo block and two block assists.

Bentley was led by Lauren Van Buren, who had 10 kills and hit .259. Ashley Latimer added seven kills. Krista Campbell had 22 assists. Defensively, Jessica Segal had 16 digs to lead the way.

In the second match of the day, UMC defeated New Haven 3-0 (25-23, 28-26, 25-15). The Golden Eagles and Chargers played highly contested matches in the first and second set. A kill from Perrel would seal the win in the first set. In the second set, a kill from Pearson and an attacking error from Damiania Eusebio would give UMC the set win. The Golden Eagles would dominate the third set to pick up the win.

Pearson would lead the way with a great match, notching 15 kills and 17 digs. Pearson would hit an outstanding .313 with 32 total attacks and just five errors from her outside hitter position. Kelci Green (So., MH, Anoka, Minn.) added nine kills with one solo block and two block assists. Trost had six kills from her setter position with 40 assists as the team hit .281.

Defensively, Pearson led the way with 17 digs. Perrel added 13, while Trost and Cashman had 12. Schwatz led the way with one solo block and four block assists.

New Haven was led by Meghan Kennelly, who had nine kills,. while Kristen Lee had eight. The Chargers would hit .109 as a team. At setter, Kristine Rios had 24 assists.

Defensively, Devin Smith had 11 digs while Lexis Peterson led the way with one solo block and three block assists.

UMC will head to Augustana University next weekend as they have four matches. They face Northwest Missouri State University and Black Hills State University Fri., Sept. 11. UMC will take on Grand Valley State University and Southwest Baptist University Sat., Sept. 12 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.