MINOT, N.D. – The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball team fell 3-0 (25-17, 25-23, 25-18) to Minot State University Friday, October 22 at the MSU Dome.

The Golden Eagles drop to 1-16 (0-12 NSIC) with Friday's loss. Minot State picked up their first win of the season to improve to 1-17 (1-11 NSIC). UMN Crookston earned the split with Minot State during the 2021 season as the Golden Eagles picked up a 3-0 non-conference win Sept. 14.  

UMN Crookston was led by Bailey Schaefer (Fr., OH, Brandon, Minn.), who had 13 kills and a .194 hitting percentage. Mara Weisensel (So., MH, New Ulm, Minn.) and Lauren Wallace (R-Sr., OH, Bloomington, Minn.) each added seven kills. Natalie Koke (R-Jr., S, Caledonia, Wis.) paced the Golden Eagles with 23 assists. Weisensel led the Golden Eagles with two service aces.

Defensively, Layne Whaley (Fr., Lib., Ashland, Wis.) paced UMN Crookston with 10 digs. Koke and Weisensel each had three block assists.

Minnesota Crookston had 27 kills on the night with a .106 hitting percentage.

Minot State looked to 12 kills from Roxy King, while Kylie Koontz had 11 kills. Alexandra Koontz chipped in six kills for the Beavers. Sophia Peterson set up the offense with 29 assists.

Defensively, Peterson led the squad with 12 digs, while Taylor Wyatt had 11 digs. On the block, Berra Tok had two solo blocks and one block assist.

The Beavers had a .288 hitting percentage with 45 kills.

After trailing Minot State 9-5 early in the first set, UMN Crookston was able to take a 12-11 lead after a King attack error and kill from Schaefer. UMN Crookston led 14-13 after a Kylie Koontz error. However, the Beavers responded with a 6-1 run to take a 19-15 advantage. A Schaefer kill pulled Minnesota Crookston within three points. Minot State responded by taking six of the final seven points to take the set 25-17.

The Golden Eagles trailed early in the second set 11-4 following a King kill. UMN Crookston climbed back into the match late led by a 6-0 run to knot up the stanza 22-22. However, Minot State closed out the set winning 3-of-4 points propelled by three Kylie Koontz kills.

Minnesota Crookston led the third set 10-6 early on. Minot State countered with an 8-1 run to take a 14-11 lead on a Jenna Pahlen service ace. The Golden Eagles would be unable to pull closer as Minot State took the 25-18 set victory and a 3-0 win.

UMN Crookston continues their road trip Saturday, October 23 at the University of Mary at 2 p.m.