Crookston, Minn. – It was the conference opener for Golden Eagle volleyball on Friday night inside Lysaker Gymnasium as they hosted the Cougars of Sioux Falls.

The Cougars were able to take control of each set to sweep the Golden Eagles (19-25, 13-25, 12-25).

With the loss, the Golden Eagles fall to 1-5 (0-1 NSIC), while the Cougars improve to 6-3 overall (1-0 NSIC).

Set One
The Golden Eagles were able to jump out to a quick start in the opening set, taking a 2-1 lead following a Layne Whaley (Fr., DS, Ashland, Neb.) service ace.

The Cougars would take a 5-4 lead, but Natalie Koke (R-Jr., S, Caledonia, Wis.) would reverse her role and collect a kill.

The Cougars would then stretch their lead to 12-7, but the Golden Eagles would come soaring back, highlighted by a pair of Lauren Wallace (R-Sr., OH, Bloomington, Minn.) kills and another Whaley ace, cutting the lead to 12-11.

Following that 4-0 run, USF would score seven out of the next eight points to take a 19-12 lead.

The Golden Eagles would try to come back in the set and following a Nicole Jacobson service error, they got as close at 23-19, but Sioux Falls would score the final two points to win set one.

Set Two
The Cougars would take control of the second set early, taking an 8-2 lead through the first ten points.

Minnesota Crookston would come roaring back, scoring four straight points, helped by a Bailey Schaefer (Fr., OH, Brandon, Minn.) service ace.

With the score 16-11, USF would score five straight points to take a 21-11 lead and would close out the Golden Eagles 25-13.

Set Three
The final set would go back-and-forth through the first ten points and be knotted up at five after a Schaefer kill.

After that point, USF would take control and have three occurrences where they would go on 4-0 runs and would win the set, 25-12 and the match, three sets to zero.

Individual Stats
The Golden Eagles would be led by Schaefer and Mara Weisensel (So., MH, New Ulm, Minn.) with five kills apiece, while Wallace, Koke and Charlee Krieg (So., OH, Cavalier, Minn.) would collect four kills each.

Koke collected 15 assists in the match, which extends her streak to six straight matches with double-digit assists. The Golden Eagles collected three service aces, led by Whaley's two.

The Cougars were led by Averey Yaksich, who collected a whopping 17 kills on the day, which was helped by Krista Goerger, who collected 38 assists in the match.

What's Next
The Golden Eagles are back home tomorrow afternoon as they host No. 8 Southwest Minnesota State in NSIC play. First serve is set for 2 P.M.