Duluth, Minn. – Minnesota Crookston traveled down Highway-2 for a date with nationally-ranked Minnesota Duluth in Duluth. The Bulldogs came in ranked No. 19 in the AVCA Coaches Association Poll.
The Bulldogs were strong at the net, collecting eight blocks on the night, propelling them to their first conference win of the season in three sets (16-25, 9-25, 18-25).
With the loss, the Golden Eagles fall to 1-7 overall (0-3 NSIC), while the Bulldogs improve to 8-3 overall (1-2 NSIC).
Set One
It was a solid crowd on a Tuesday night inside Romano Gymnasium and the Golden Eagles would try to silence the crowd early, but the home Bulldogs had other plans.
UMD scored the first four points of the match, but the Golden Eagles would make it 5-3 following a pair of kills from
Lauren Wallace (R-Sr., OH, Bloomington, Minn.) and
Natalie Koke (R-Jr., S, Caledonia, Wis.).
Mara Weisensel (So., OH, New Ulm, Minn.) would collect one of her three kills on the night to make it 9-6 Bulldogs in the first set.
The Bulldogs would stretch their lead to 20-10 in the opening set. The Golden Eagles would try to mount a comeback, but UMD would finish off the Golden Eagles in the opening set.
Set Two
Both teams would trade jabs through the first four points, as Weisensel and
Bailey Schaefer (Fr., OH, Brandon, Minn.) would collect kills.
From there, it was all Bulldogs. With the score 16-9, UMD would score the final nine points of the set to take the middle set, 25-9.
Set Three
The Bulldogs would stretch their lead to 3-1, but a Weisensel ace would help the Golden Eagles erase the modest two point deficit.
Hali Moske (Fr., OH, Parkers Prairie, Minn.) would collect her first career kill of her Golden Eagle tenure to make it 4-4.
The Bulldogs would stretch their lead to 9-5, but the young Golden Eagles would come storming back to make it 9-9, forcing a Bulldog timeout.
The Bulldogs would score the next two points after the timeout, but
Charlee Krieg (So., OH, Cavalier, N.D.) would collect a kill to make it knotted up at 11.
The Bulldogs would eventually pull away, stretching their lead to 20-14, which helped them put away the Golden Eagles to win the match, 25-18.
Individual Stats
Krieg led the way for the Golden Eagles with six kills, while Wallace collected five kills on a team-high 21 attacks. Wallace also led the team with eight digs.
What's Next
Another weekend, another ranked opponent for the Golden Eagles. The maroon and gold will travel to Wayne State College for a match with the No. 8 Wildcats. First serve for Friday is set for 6 P.M.
