SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball team picked up a split Saturday as they fell 3-0 (26-24, 26-24, 25-21) to University of Sioux Falls in a highly contested match, but then bounced back to take down William Jewell College 3-0 (25-18, 25-21, 25-17).

The Golden Eagles ended the Country Inn & Suites Invitational at the Stewart Center in Sioux Falls, S.D. with a 2-2 mark. Minnesota Crookston is now 4-4 on the season. Sioux Falls improved to 5-2 with their victory, while William Jewell fell to 4-4 with their loss.

Minnesota Crookston played a solid first match against NSIC foe Sioux Falls but they would just fall short in three very hard-fought sets. The Golden Eagles hit .183 for the match with 35 kills and 16 errors. Minnesota Crookston looked to Maggie Perrel (R-Jr., OH/RS, New Germany, Minn.), who had 12 kills and hit .158. Perrel would had 11 digs on the match. Kassi Green (R-Jr., OH/RS, Anoka, Minn.) added seven kills, while Callie Schapekahm (So., MH, Eagan, Minn.) had six and hit .357.

Sierra Trost (Sr., S, Ham Lake, Minn.) finished the first match with 29 assists.

Defensively, UMC looked to 14 digs from Ali Schueler (R-Fr., DS/Lib., Howards Grove, Wis.). On the block, Schapekahm and Trost each had four block assists.

Sioux Falls would hit .188 for the match. They were led by Brian Barfnecht's 13 kills and .450 hitting percentage. Sydney Schaap led the Cougars with 34 helpers.
Defensively, USF looked to Abby Folk's 12 digs. On the block, Jordan Calef led the way with four block assists.

Each set came down to crucial moments in the first match. Tied 24-24 in set one, Makenna Rockeman would have a crucial kill and Schaap a key service ace to take the frame 26-24.

Set two would carry a similar tune as the two foes were knotted at 24 when Lexi Scott would get a big kill and Folk a service ace to carry the set 26-24.

In set three, the Cougars would take it 25-21 led by an Aubrey Milne kill.

The Golden Eagles would bounce back in the second match as they controlled play against the Cardinals. UMC would look to nine kills from Schapekahm, who hit .533 and ended a strong day for UMC. Kelci Green (R-Jr., MH, Anoka, Minn.) added eight kills and hit .353, while Kali Erickson (Sr., OH, Fargo, N.D.) hit .357 and had seven kills.

Trost would finish with 32 assists as she helped Minnesota Crookston to a .188 attack percentage with 36 kills and 18 errors.

Defensively, Schueler would lead the way with 15 digs. On the block, UMC looked to three block assists apiece from Erickson and Kelci Green.

William Jewell hit .072 for the match with 30 kills and 22 errors. The Cardinals were led by eight kills from Paige Cunningham. Alix Weigel would have 15 assists and Amy Lindhorst 11.

Defensively, the Cardinals looked to 17 digs from Olivia Tolberd, while Grace Miller paced the block with one solo block and three block assists.

Minnesota Crookston will open up the NSIC season Thurs., Sept. 15 at 6 p.m. at Lysaker Gymnasium against No. 4 University of Minnesota Duluth.