CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball team had strong moments but couldn't sustain momentum in a 3-0 (25-13, 25-23, 25-15) loss to No. 11 Northern State University.

Saturday's meeting between the two schools was the second of the season after playing in the Max & Erma's Classic in non-conference play in September. The Golden Eagles showed vast improvement on the day as they were competitive in the second set and early in third set. Minnesota Crookston scored just 23 overall points in three sets versus Northern State Sept. 9 in Aberdeen, S.D.

Minnesota Crookston splits on the weekend after Friday's win over Minnesota State University Moorhead. The Golden Eagles drop to 5-16 (2-11 NSIC). Northern State improved to 18-3 (11-2 NSIC) with Saturday's victory.
Kassi Green (R-Sr., OH, Anoka, Minn.) completed a strong weekend with 13 kills and a .265 hitting percentage. Green averaged 5.43 kills per set on the weekend for Minnesota Crookston. She hit .255 over the two matches. Kelci Green (R-Sr., MH, Anoka, Minn.) added eight kills with a .222 hitting percentage. Maggie Perrel (Sr., OH, New Germany, Minn.) chipped in six kills.

Hagen had her second-straight double-double with 26 assists and 10 digs. Hagen averaged 11.1 assists and 4.9 digs per set on the weekend.

Hagen led the way defensively, while Kassi Green and Becca Vandenheuvel (Sr., Lib., Cannon Falls, Minn.) each chipped in nine digs. The Minnesota Crookston block finished with six on the day led by four block assists from Kelci Green and three block assists apiece from Kassi Green and Kaitlin Sikkink (R-So., RS, St. Charles, Minn.).

Northern State hit .346 on the day with 50 kills and just 13 errors. Hailey Busch paced the Wolves with 18 kills and a .395 hitting percentage. Holly Vancura notched 10 kills and hit .364, while Jenna Reiff finished with eight kills. At setter, Ashley Rozell led the offense with 49 assists.

Defensively, the Wolves looked to 11 digs from Jaiden Langlie. Vancura added 10 digs. Northern State had seven blocks on the day paced by five block assists from Reiff. Laura Snyder chipped in four block assists.
Northern State controlled the pace of the first set as they led all the way, finishing with a 25-13 win. The Wolves hit .387 on the frame, limiting Minnesota Crookston to a .032 hitting percentage.

Minnesota Crookston responded and came ready to compete in set two. Northern State led 5-1 out of the gate after a Busch kill. However, Minnesota Crookston responded and cut the deficit to 5-4 with a Reiff attack error. The Golden Eagles knotted up the match 6-6 on a Snyder attack error. Minnesota Crookston stayed right with the nation's No. 11 team. They took the advantage 12-10 on a Busch attack error. However, Northern State responded with a 3-0 run culminating in a Busch kill to go back up 13-12. U of M Crookston countered and pushed the Wolves to an 18-18 tie following a Snyder service error. Northern State moved back into the driver's seat with a 3-0 run culminated by a Sikkink attack error. The Golden Eagles did not give in as they cut the lead to 24-23 on a Kassi Green kill. However, the Wolves took the set 25-23 with a Reiff kill to go up 2-0 in the match.
The Wolves continued the momentum into the third set as they started on a 5-1 run led by two kills from Reiff. Northern State extended their advantage to 8-2 with a Busch service ace. Minnesota Crookston responded as they went on an 8-4 run to cut the lead to 12-10 following a Callie Schapekahm (Jr., MH, Eagan, Minn.) kill. Northern State ended the match on a 13-5 run to take the set 25-15 and the match 3-0.
 
Minnesota Crookston hits the road next weekend as they face Minot State University Oct. 27 at Minot, N.D.