CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball team upended Bemidji State University 3-2 (25-18, 19-25, 25-20, 17-25, 15-19) Tuesday, October 25 at Gary Senske Court at Lysaker Gymnasium. The Golden Eagles came back from trailing the fifth set 8-7 to win 15-19 to pick up a win over their rivals from just 88 miles down U.S. Highway 2.

Minnesota Crookston moved to 4-20 (3-13 NSIC) with Thursday's win. The Golden Eagles have picked up three more wins than they did during the 2021 season. Bemidji State fell to 3-21 (2-14 NSIC).

Top Performers
Mara Weisensel (Jr., MH, New Ulm, Minn.) led the Golden Eagles with 16 kills and just one error. Weisensel hit .556 for the Golden Eagles. Bailey Schaefer (So., OH, Brandon, Minn.) had a double-double Tuesday with 10 kills and 21 digs. Audrey Cariveau (Fr., OH, Kevil, Ky.) added a double-double of 10 kills and 13 digs. She finished with four service aces. Kora Norland (So., S, Fosston, Minn.) had three service aces.

The Golden Eagles hit .199 for the match. Natalie Koke (R-Sr., S, Caledonia, Wis.) led the offense with 35 assists.

Defensively, Schaefer guided UMN Crookston. Layne Whaley (So., Lib., Ashland, Neb.) chipped in 15 digs. Charlee Krieg (Jr., OH/RS, Cavalier, N.D.) led the block with one solo block and three block assists.

Bemidji State was led by 18 kills and 22 digs from Hallie Mertz. Ashley East added 11 kills. Halley Holker notched 30 assists for the Beavers.

Set One
The Golden Eagles took the final three points of the first set guided by kills from Weisensel and Schaefer to win 25-18.

Set Two
Minnesota Crookston fell into an early hole as they trailed 12-2 in the second set. The Golden Eagles pulled within 23-19 but kills from East and Mertz gave Bemidji State the second stanza.

Set Three
The Golden Eagles rattled off six of the last nine points, including a Weisensel kill, to upend Bemidji State 25-20 in the third set.

Set Four
UMN Crookston had the early 4-1 advantage, but Bemidji State flipped the script and won the frame 25-17 on a Rylie Bjerklie kill to force a decisive set.

Set Five
Minnesota Crookston came out of the gate with a 4-0 advantage, but Bemidji State charged back to take a 8-7 lead after a block from Ashley Crowl and Rylee Pompa. The Golden Eagles rebounded to go on an 8-1 run, including four kills from Weisensel, to win the set 15-9 and the match 3-2.

Up Next
Minnesota Crookston hits the road for their final road trip of the season. The Golden Eagles take on University of Mary Friday, October 28 in Bismarck, N.D., and Minot State University, Saturday, October 29 at 2 p.m., in Minot, N.D.