CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball team put up a fight against No. 1 Concordia University-St. Paul, but they would fall 3-0 (25-17, 25-10, 25-16) despite making the Golden Bears work for it. The Golden Eagles fall to 5-7 (1-3 NSIC) on the season, while Concordia-St. Paul improves to an unblemished 12-0 (4-0 NSIC).

The Golden Eagles made several great defensive plays. They were led defensively by six digs apiece from Kaycie Hagen (Jr., DS, Savage, Minn.) and Casey Cashman (Sr., DS, Ashland, Wis.).

Offensively, Minnesota Crookston would hit .085 for the match with 23 kills and 16 errors. The Golden Eagles were led by Green twins. Kelci Green (R-Jr., MH, Anoka, Minn.) would finish with eight kills and just two errors as she hit .462 for the match. Kassi Green (R-Jr., OH, Anoka, Minn.) added six kills.

At setter, Sierra Trost (Sr., S, Ham Lake, Minn.) had 19 assists.

On the block, UMC looked to two block assists from Kelci Green and Trost.

Concordia-St. Paul proved why they are ranked No. 1 in the nation. The Golden Bears hit .432 on the match with 45 kills and just 10 errors. Riley Hanson led the way with 11 kills and a .500 hitting percentage. Sara Macek added 10 kills and hit an astounding .692.

At setter, Kasey Williams led the ship as she had 43 assists on the night.

Defensively, Schlaak had 14 digs and converted outside hitter-turned-libero Emily McDonough had 11. On the block, Concordia-St. Paul had just one block.

The Golden Eagles tested Concordia-St. Paul early on as they closed to within 13-10 in set one after a Callie Schapekahm (So., MH, Eagan, Minn.) kill. They would close even further as Anna Pioske had an attack error that put UMC within one at 13-12. From there though, Concordia-St. Paul would then score four-straight points to get their lead out to 17-12 culminated by a Hanson kill. The Golden Bears would take the set 25-17, following a Trost service error.

The Golden Bears would control the second set, winning 25-10.

Concordia-St. Paul got out to a strong start in set two, leading 6-2 after a Macek kill. The Golden Eagles would be able to close within 6-5 after a Hanson attack error. UMC would hang with Concordia-St. Paul, making it 12-8 after a Hanson service error. The Golden Eagles would stay within 19-16 following a Perrel kill. However from there it was all Golden Bears as they took the final six points of the set, culminating with a Macek kill to take the set and the match.

Minnesota Crookston will look to end the week on a winning mark as they host Minnesota State University, Mankato Sat., Sept. 24 at 4 p.m. at Lysaker Gymnasium.