Crookston, Minn. – Minnesota Crookston hosted No. 8 Southwest Minnesota State for a Saturday matinee NSIC match inside Gary Senske Court at Lysaker Gymnasium.

The nationally ranked Mustangs proved why they were indeed ranked in the nation by sweeping the Golden Eagles (13-25, 17-25, 12-25).

With the loss, the Golden Eagles fall to 1-6 overall (0-2 NSIC), while the Mustangs improve to 10-0 overall (2-0 NSIC).

Set One
The Mustangs would jump out to a fast start, jumping out to a 2-0 lead, but a Bailey Schaefer (Fr., OH, Brandon, Minn.) kill put the Golden Eagles on the board.

The Mustangs would score four straight points to take a 9-2 lead, but Natalie Koke (R-Jr., S, Caledonia, Wis.) would collect her only kill of the night to halt the Mustang run.

The Mustangs would take a 20-6 lead, but the Golden Eagles would score two straight points, highlighted by another Schaefer kill.

The Mustangs would finish off the Golden Eagles to take the first set 25-13.

Set Two
The Golden Eagles would regroup after the first set and jump out to a 3-1 lead, using a pair of Mustang errors and a Charlee Krieg (So., OH, Cavalier, N.D.) kill.

Another 2-0 run would see the Golden Eagles take a 9-6 lead, with the help of a Koke service ace.

SMSU would score six straight points, forcing a Sarah Morgan timeout. The halt in play seemed to help, as the Golden Eagles scored the next point on a Lauren Wallace (R-Sr., OH, Bloomington, Minn.) kill.

The Mustangs would stretch their lead to 20-12, but the young Golden Eagles would score four straight points to make it 20-16.

After it was 21-17, the Mustangs would score the final four points of the set to take set two, 25-17.

Set Three
Much like set one, the Mustangs would come out running, scoring seven of the first ten points for a 7-3 lead.

The Golden Eagles would score three straight points to make it 8-6. Layne Whaley (Fr., Lib./DS, Ashland, Neb.), who was fantastic in the match with a team high 12 digs, collected a service ace to help that charge.

SMSU would then score the next four, but the Golden Eagles would score the following three, after a pair of kills from Wallace and Schaefer and an ace from Wallace.

The Mustangs would take control following that 3-0 run from the Golden Eagles and win the final set, 25-12.
Individual/Team Stats
Wallace led the way with eight kills in the match and hit .148 on 27 swings in the match. Mara Weisensel (So., MH, New Ulm, Minn.) collected four kills, while Schaefer and Krieg had three apiece. Koke collected 18 assists in the match.

Defensively, Whaley led the way with 12 digs, while Schaefer and Wallace collected six and Madison Klimek (So., DS, Oakdale, Minn.) collected three digs as well.

For the Mustangs, they were led by the duo of Angela Young and Meg Schmidt, who combined for 30 kills in the match. Alisa Bengen collected 31 assists in the match.

What's Next
The Golden Eagles have three matches next week, starting with a mid-week match with Minnesota Duluth on Tuesday night in Duluth. First serve is set for 6 P.M.