Crookston, Minn. – Minnesota Crookston won their first set against a ranked opponent since 2019 on Saturday against Southwest Minnesota State, but the Mustangs eventually proved their ranking, winning the match three sets to one (14-25, 26-24, 12-25, 15-25). Coincidentally, that set win in 2019 was also against SMSU.
 
Minnesota Crookston falls to 3-17 (1-11 NSIC).
 
Set One
In set one, it would be all Mustangs.
 
No. 7 SMSU would jump out to an early 10-0 lead, which would turn into a 13-1 lead.
 
Minnesota Crookston would try to chip away at the lead, but it would be too late, as the Mustangs would control the set and win by 11.
 
Set Two
The second set would be a thriller. Minnesota Crookston would score the first three points, highlighted by a kill from Bailey Schaefer (Jr., DS, Brandon, Minn.) and back-to-back service aces from Dana Melby (R-Fr., S, Gonvick, Minn.).
 
The Mustangs would answer with three straight points, but the Golden Eagles would answer the call with two straight points, including a kill from Maya Jones (Fr., OH, New Braunfels, Texas).
 
Tied at five, the maroon and gold would answer with a huge run, scoring four straight points after kills from Jones, Madison Carsten (Fr., OH, Wadena, Minn.) and Mara Weisensel (Sr., MH, New Ulm, Minn.).
 
Later, a Kailee Waasdorp (Fr., DS, West Fargo, N.D.) service ace would give the Golden Eagles a three point lead.
 
From that point, the set would be tied at 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21.
 
SMSU would eventually get set point, but the maroon and gold would send Lysaker Gymnasium into a frenzy, scoring four straight points, capped off by a Jones kill. Jones had three kills during that stretch, while Emma Malek (Fr., MH, Plainfield, Ill.) got the Golden Eagles to set point.
 
Set Three
After winning set two, the Golden Eagles would get off to a fantastic start, scoring the first two points.
 
SMSU would take a 10-6 lead, but the Golden Eagles would go on a mini run with a pair of kills from Weisensel and Carsten.
 
Minnesota Crookston would struggle to gain any traction in the set, as SMSU would score nine straight points to win the set, 25-12.
 
Set Four
In a do-or-die set, the Golden Eagles would struggle to get going in the fourth set, as the Mustangs would race out to a quick 9-1 lead.
 
Really late in the set, a Weisensel kill would get the Golden Eagles within five at 18-13, but that is as close as the Golden Eagles would get, as the Mustangs would pull away for the win in the set and the match.
 
Individual Stats
What a weekend it was for Jones. The Texan finished the match with 14 kills on 41 total attacks and nine digs. Weisensel added 10 kills, tying a season-high. Malek tied her career best with seven kills, while Carsten also finished with seven kills. Schaefer added four kills and ten digs.
 
Defensively, Waasdorp finished with 24 digs and three assists. Melby finished with another double-double, adding a career-high 20 digs and 36 assists, her second straight of the weekend and eighth on the season.
 
The Golden Eagles had five service aces in the match.
 
What's Next
The Golden Eagles will head on the road next weekend as they head south to Minnesota State and top-five Concordia-St. Paul. First serve with the Mavericks is set for 6 P.M., in Mankato.