Marshall, Minn. – Minnesota Crookston volleyball was looking to finish the 2021 season on a high note, starting with a match on Friday night against No. 17 Southwest Minnesota State.
 
SMSU kept their postseason hopes alive with a sweep of the Golden Eagles (11-25, 18-25, 17-25) to improve to 20-7 (12-7 NSIC). The Golden Eagles fall to 1-23 (0-19 NSIC).
 
Set One
The Mustangs would jump out to a 1-0 lead, but an Emma VanHeel service error would put the Golden Eagles on the board.
 
SMSU would score the next three points, but a Natalie Koke (R-Jr., S, Caledonia, Wis.) kill would halt the run and make it 4-2.
 
The maroon and gold would score three-straight points with the help of a Mara Weisensel (So., OH, New Ulm, Minn.) kill and a pair of Mustang errors.
 
The Golden Eagles would trail 13-7, but Bailey Schaefer collected one of her eight kills to cut the Mustang lead to five.
 
SMSU would score the final eight points of the set to win the opening set.
 
Set Two
For the second straight set, SMSU would lead 4-1, but a Charlee Krieg (So., OH, Cavalier, N.D.) kill would cut the SMSU lead in half.
 
The Mustangs would lead 8-3, but a Schaefer kill and a Koke service ace cut the lead to 8-5.
 
SMSU would stretch their lead to 15-6, but Lauren Wallace (R-Sr., OH, Bloomington, Minn.), who also collected eight kills, would get one to make it 15-7.
 
The maroon and gold would score five in a row to make it 16-12.
 
The Golden Eagles would try to get back into the set, but the Mustangs would pull away and win 25-18 to head into the third set up 2-0.
 
Set Three
The third set would see both teams trade points through the first eight to make it 4-4.
 
Minnesota Crookston would go on a 4-0 run, highlighted by a pair of kills by Wallace and Schaefer and a pair of Mustang errors.
 
The Golden Eagles would eventually lead 10-6, but SMSU would score eight straight points to make it 14-10. A Wallace kill would cut the lead to three at 14-11.
 
SMSU would pull away in the third set to win 25-17 and the match, 3-0.
 
Individual Sets
Minnesota Crookston would be led by eight kills each from Wallace and Schaefer. Schaefer hit .238 in the match. Krieg collected four kills, while Koke had three.
 
Layne Whaley (Fr., DS, Ashland, Neb.) had 11 digs, while Schaefer and Koke each collected seven.
 
What's Next
The Golden Eagles will finish up the 2021 season tomorrow afternoon as they travel to Sioux Falls to take on the Cougars of the University of Sioux Falls. First serve is set for 4 P.M., from the Stewart Center.