Winona, Minn. – Minnesota Crookston fought hard in the second and third sets, but fell to Winona State in NSIC Volleyball action (15-25, 18-25, 23-25) on Friday night in Winona.
 
Minnesota Crookston falls to 3-17 (2-10 NSIC), while the Warriors improve to 10-9 (6-6 NSIC).
 
Set One
The Warriors would get off to a blazing start, scoring the first six points, but a pair of Warrior errors would help get the Golden Eagles within four at 6-2.
 
Winona State would extend their lead to 14-4, creating a big hill to climb for the Golden Eagles.
 
WSU would eventually take a 22-8 lead and that is all they would need for the 25-15 win in set one.
 
Set Two
Once again, the Warriors would lead 6-2, but Natalie Koke (R-Sr., S, Caledonia, Wis.) would collect one of her four kills in the match to help the Golden Eagles cut the deficit to 6-4.
 
A Charlee Krieg (Jr., OH, Cavalier, N.D.) kill and another attacking error for Winona State would make it 12-11.
 
WSU would take their largest lead of the set at 22-16 and would pull away for the seven point victory in the middle set.
 
Set Three
In the third set, the Warriors would once again start fast, doubling up the Golden Eagles at 8-4.
 
The Golden Eagles would chip away at the lead with the help of Bailey Schaefer (So., OH, Brandon, Minn.) and Audrey Cariveau (Fr., OH, Kevil, Kent.). The duo would collect back-to-back kills to make it 11-9.
 
The Golden Eagles would eventually score six straight points to take a 17-16 lead, with the help of four attacking errors by the Warriors in that stretch.
 
A Madison Klimek (Jr., DS, Oakdale, Minn.) service ace would put the Golden Eagles up 21-18, but the Warriors would score five straight points following that ace, propelling them to the 25-23 win in the set and the 3-0 sweep.
 
Individual Stats
Individually, the Golden Eagles were led by Cariveau, who finished with eight kills on 39 total swings. Cariveau finished with six kills in the match, while Koke, Krieg and Mara Weisensel (Jr., MH, New Ulm, Minn.) each finished with four kills. Koke collected another double-double, her sixth of the season with a 22-assist, 10-dig performance. Layne Whaley (So., DS, Ashland, Neb.) led the Golden Eagles with 18 digs.
 
What's Next
The Golden Eagles are back in action tomorrow afternoon at Upper Iowa, who knocked off the Golden Eagles in five earlier this season. First serve is set for 2 P.M.