CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball team struggled to stay with a potent Augustana University offense as they fell 3-0 (25-13, 25-14, 25-16) Fri., Nov. 3 at Lysaker Gymnasium in Crookston, Minn.

The Golden Eagles fall to 7-18 (4-13 NSIC) following the loss. Minnesota Crookston is 3-3 in their last six matches and will look to wrap up their 2017 home slate on a strong note Sat., Nov. 4 versus No. 22 Wayne State College. Augustana, who is currently ranked No. 16 nationally, improved to 19-8 (10-7 NSiC) with the victory.

Minnesota Crookston had a strong match from Maggie Perrel (R-Sr., OH, New Germany, Minn.), who has had to split time at outside hitter and libero due to an injury suffered prior to this season. Perrel finished with seven kills and hit .222 for the match. Kassi Green (R-Sr., OH, Anoka, Minn.) was controlled early on in the match, but finished with eight kills and a .147 hitting percentage. Kaitlin Sikkink (R-So., RS, St. Charles, Minn.) added five kills, while Kelci Green (R-Sr., MH, Anoka, Minn.) added four kills.

Kaycie Hagen (Sr., S, Savage, Minn.) started at the setter position and finished with 14 assists. The Golden Eagles went to a 6-2 rotation in the second set. Alex Oakes (R-So., S, Cloquet, Minn.) aided the offense with 11 assists. Minnesota Crookston hit .116 for the match with 27 kills and 12 errors.

Defensively, the Golden Eagles had 66 digs on the match for 22 digs per set. The Golden Eagles looked to 17 digs from Becca Vandenheuvel (Sr., Lib., Cannon Falls, Minn.). Perrel chipped in 13 digs, while Hagen added 11 digs. Kelci Green led the block with one solo block and two block assists in the third set. Her three blocks moved her past Morgan VanGerpen for second all-time in total blocks. She needs 32 total blocks to tie Erin Flynn for first all-time. In addition, she needs eight block assists to tie Flynn for the all-time block assists mark. Alyssa Muelken (Sr., MH, Savage, Minn.) added two block assists.
Augustana had a well-balanced attack on the evening. They finished with 59 kills and 10 errors with a .333 hitting percentage. Courtney Place, Payton Rosendahl and Lauren Waite each had 11 kills on the night. Ashley Wilson and Bailey Koch each chipped in eight kills for the night. Alex Banker was the general for the Vikings as she directed 52 assists to her attackers on the night.

Defensively, the Vikings finished with 81 digs for 27 digs per set. Augustana was paced by 20 digs by libero Tahlyr Banks. Banker finished a double-double with 19 digs, while Place completed a double-double with 13 digs. Kaylea Ahrens added 12 digs on the match. The block for the Vikings was paced by one solo block and one block assist from Place.

The Vikings raced out to a 6-2 advantage early in the first set after a Kassi Green attack error. Minnesota Crookston came back and closed to within 8-7 with a Waite attack error. Augustana fended the Golden Eagles off as they used a 7-2 run to go up 15-9 following a Rosendahl kill. The Golden Eagles would keep within striking distance at 19-13 following a Perrel kill. It would not stay there for long as the Vikings closed the set on a 6-0 run to win 25-13.
Minnesota Crookston struggled offensively in the set as they had six kills and five errors for a .028 hitting percentage. Augustana notched 18 kills and just four errors with a .341 hitting percentage.

The Vikings again came out of the gate strong in the second frame as they made it 5-2 after a Waite kill. Minnesota Crookston countered and closed to within 7-5 with a Kassi Green kill. However, the Golden Eagles went cold as a Vikings 6-1 run made it 13-6 with a kill from Place. Minnesota Crookston closed to within 15-10 with a Sikkink kill. Augustana took over the rest of the set as they went on a 10=4 to take the frame 25-14 and go ahead 2-0 in the match.

The Vikings started the third set similarly than the previous two as they took an early 7-1 lead after a kill from Place. Minnesota Crookston clawed their way back in it and cut the lead to 9-7 with a Kassi Green kill. Augustana countered and took the 17-10 advantage following a Kelci Green attack error. Minnesota Crookston did not give in as they cut the lead to 22-16 with a Sikkink kill. However, Augustana ended the match on a 3-0 run to take the set 25-16 and the match 3-0.

Friday was Faculty/Staff Appreciation Night for the Golden Eagles. They honored the faculty and staff of the University of Minnesota Crookston for their constant support they give the Golden Eagle volleyball program. The Golden Eagles will wrap up their home slate Sat., Nov. 4 at 2 p.m. as they take on No. 22 Wayne State College. The match will mark Senior Day for the Golden Eagles. They will honor their seven seniors; Maggie Perrel, Kassi Green, Kelci Green, Rachel Freund, Becca Vandenheuvel, Kaycie Hagen and Alyssa Muelken.