ABERDEEN, S.D. – The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball team had No. 14 Northern State University on the ropes Fri., Oct. 7, but fell late in set four to fall 3-1 (25-16, 25-20, 21-25, 25-22) at Wachs Arena in Aberdeen, S.D. The Golden Eagles fell in the first two sets but bounced back to win the third frame 25-21. UMC was up in set four 22-16, but they would give up the final nine points to the Wolves as they fell 25-22 to their ranked opponents. The Golden Eagles put forth their best effort against a ranked foe this season, winning their first set over a ranked opponent since a 3-1 loss to No. 3 Concordia University-St. Paul Oct. 31, 2015.

The Golden Eagles put up one of their best matches of the season against the 14^th-ranked team in the nation on the road. Minnesota Crookston would have a balanced effort, incorporating strong games from their middle hitters and pin hitters. UMC was led by the play of Kelci Green (R-Jr., MH, Anoka, Minn.), who tallied 12 kills and hit .364. Her twin sister Kassi Green (R-Jr., OH, Anoka, Minn.) added 11 kills and hit .226, while Maggie Perrel (R-Jr., OH, New Germany, Minn.) also had 11 kills. Callie Schapekahm (So., MH, Eagan, Minn.) and Kali Erickson (Sr., OH, Fargo, N.D.) both chipped in with eight kills for the Golden Eagles.

Sierra Trost (Sr., S, Ham Lake, Minn.) paced UMC with 49 assists as she put up one of her strongest matches. She would help the Golden Eagles to a .203 hitting percentage with 53 kills and 26 errors.

Defensively, Ali Schueler (R-Fr., DS/Lib., Howards Grove, Wis.) put together perhaps her strongest match of her young career with 24 digs. On the block, Kassi Green and Schapekahm each had four block assists.

Northern State was led by Holly Vancura, who had 14 kills and hit .278. Lauren McCafferty added 10 kills and hit .214. At setter, Ashley Rozell tallied 39 assists and helped the Wolves to a .194 hitting percentage with 42 kills and 18 errors.

Defensively, Jaiden Langlie added 19 digs, while Annika van Oosbree added 11 digs. On the block, Northern State looked to five block assists for Tori Biach.

Northern State would control the first set with a 25-16 win led by a Vancura service ace.

The Wolves would win a hard-fought set in frame two as they won 25-20 on a Tori Biach kill.

UMC would bounce back with a strong third set led by kills from Kassi Green and Maggie Perrel down the stretch to win 25-21.

UMC would get out to a 22-16 lead on a Langlie service error and led by three kills from Kelci Green and a host of Northern State attack errors. The Wolves would respond for nine-straight points as UMC would have five attack errors and Ashley Rozell would have two service aces down the stretch as Northern State came from behind to take the set 25-22 and the match 3-1.

The Golden Eagles will look to build on the momentum of a strong match against a ranked opponents as they take on Minnesota State University Moorhead on the road Sat., Oct. 7 at 3 p.m.