CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball team dominated play in a 3-0 (25-11, 25-16, 25-9) victory over University of Mary Sat., Sept. 22 at Lysaker Gymnasium in Crookston, Minn.
The commanding performance was guided by the impressive service game for the Golden Eagles as they had 10 service aces. In addition, Minnesota Crookston hit .321 for the match with 37 kills and just 10 errors. The Golden Eagles also kept several points alive with strong defense as they notched 57 digs for the match, for an average of 19 digs per set.
The win for Minnesota Crookston snaps a nine-match losing streak for the Golden Eagles and gives the team their first NSIC win of 2018. The Golden Eagles sit at 3-12 (1-6 NSIC) heading into two more home matches next weekend. UMary drops to 3-12 (0-7 NSIC) with Saturday's loss.
Minnesota Crookston was guided by
Kaitlin Sikkink (R-Jr., MH, St. Charles, Minn.), who had an unblemished attack percentage until late in the match. She finished with nine kills and a .727 hitting percentage.
Porsha Porath (Fr., OH, Windom, Minn.) also notched nine kills, while
Sydney Kruisselbrink (So., S, Rochester, Minn.) led the team with 31 assists.
Key Players
Minnesota Crookston
Kaitlin Sikkink, 9 kills, .727 hitting pct.
Porsha Porath, 9 kills, .192 hitting pct., 10 digs
Lauren Wallace, 6 kills, .545 hitting pct.
Sydney Kruisselbrink, 31 assists, 10 digs
Ali Schueler, 12 digs
Lauren Ulibarri, 10 digs
UMary
Katja Berge, 5 kills, .150 hitting pct.
Sydney Murphy, 8 assists
Brittany Brusven, 8 assists
Breanna Donarski, 8 digs
Natalia Cruz, 4 kills, 8 digs
Set One
The Golden Eagles got out to the early lead in set one as they went ahead 4-2 on a Kruisselbrink service ace. UMary was able to come back and knot the match up 5-5 on a kill from Katja Berge. From there though Minnesota Crookston took over as they rattled off the next 13 points to go ahead 18-5 guided by two
Callie Schapekahm (Sr., MH, Eagan, Minn.) service aces, two
Deaira Gresham (So., OH, Maplewood, Minn.) kills, and two
Lauren Wallace (R-Fr., OH, Bloomington, Minn.) kills. The rally was guided by Schapekahm's impressive service game. The Golden Eagles would ride the momentum to a 25-11 set one victory to set the tone early on in the match.
Set Two
Minnesota Crookston had early control of the second set as they raced out to a 9-1 lead propelled by four kills from Porath. The Marauders would be able to pull within 15-9 following a Julianna Hughes service ace. UMary would stay within striking distance at 21-15 after a Natalia Cruz. However, Minnesota Crookston would close out the set with a 4-1 run stamped by a Sikkink kill as the Golden Eagles took the frame 25-16.
Set Three
Minnesota Crookston dominated the final set of the match as they rocketed out to a 10-2 advantage following a Kruisselbrink service ace. The Golden Eagles continued to build on the great momentum as they pushed the lead to 21-5 with a Sikkink kill. Minnesota Crookston did not look back as they won the set 25-9 following a
Sabrina Leuer (R-Jr., OH, Hamel, Minn.) kill.
The Golden Eagles continue their four-match home stand Fri., Sept. 28 against No. 10 Southwest Minnesota State University at 6 p.m. The match will be part of an exciting homecoming weekend featuring home volleyball, home soccer, home football, along with alumni events for volleyball, softball, and baseball.
