CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball team opened up their Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) slate with a 3-0 (25-14, 25-17, 25-15) loss to third-ranked University of Minnesota Duluth Thurs., Sept. 15 at Lysaker Gymnasium. The Golden Eagles battled late in three sets but struggled to get going early against a very powerful Bulldog squad that hit .364 on the match with 37 kills and just nine errors on 77 swings.

The Golden Eagles fall to 4-5 (0-1 NSIC), while Minnesota Duluth improves to an unblemished 9-0 (1-0 NSIC).

Minnesota Crookston had three players finish with seven kills led by Kassi Green (R-Jr., OH, Anoka, Minn.), who hit .235 for the match. Her twin sister Kelci Green (R-Jr., MH, Anoka, Minn.) had seven kills and hit .188, while Maggie Perrel (R-Jr., OH, New Germany, Minn.) hit .042 for the match after a tough third set.

At setter, Sierra Trost (Sr., S, Ham Lake, Minn.) finished with 25 assists. The offense run by Trost finished with 30 kills and 22 errors with a .090 hitting percentage. The best set for Minnesota Crookston was the second frame where they had 11 kills and hit .172.

Defensively, Ali Schueler (R-Fr., DS/Lib., Howards Grove, Wis.) paced UMC with 10 digs. Becca Vandenheuvel (Jr., DS, Cannon Falls, Minn.) added four. The Golden Eagles had just 25 digs for the match.

Minnesota Crookston struggled in the service game with just three service aces and 10 service errors on the night.

The block was paced by two block assists by Kelci Green. UMC would have just four block assists on the night against a potent UMD attack.

The Bulldogs were well balance with three players with eight kills. Sydnie Mauch led the way with eight kills and a .500 hitting percentage. Sarah Kelly chipped in eight and hit .333, while outside hitter Makenzie Morgen had a big night with eight kills and a .318 hitting percentage on 22 swings.

At setter, Emily Torve finished with 29 assists as she led Minnesota Duluth to a .364 hitting percentage with 37 kills and just nine errors.

Defensively, UMD looked to libero Erin Schindler with 13 digs. The Bulldog block was also strong with nine stuff blocks on the night. Mach paced Minnesota Duluth with block assists, while Torve had four.

Minnesota Crookston will return to action Sat., Sept. 17 as they take on St. Cloud State University at 6 p.m. at Halenbeck Hall in St. Cloud, Minn.