Bismarck, N.D. – Madison Carsten (Jr., OH, Wadena, Minn.) and
Carizma Muth (R-So., OH, Randolph, Wis.) combined for 37 kills on Friday night at the University of Mary, but it wasn't enough for the Golden Eagles, who fell in four sets to the Marauders (21-25, 16-25, 25-22, 19-25).
Minnesota Crookston has lost nine matches in a row and fall to 6-10 (0-8 NSIC).
Set One
It wouldn't be a good start for the Golden Eagles, who would trail by as many as six early on.
Three straight points by the Golden Eagles, highlighted by kills from
Emma Malek (Jr., MH, Plainfield, Ill.) and
Lexi Scharold (So., MH, Alexandria, Kent.) would cut the lead to 9-8.
Later on in the set, Minnesota Crookston would get within two at 23-21, following a Muth kill, but the Marauders would score the final two points for the set one win.
Serving was an issue for the Golden Eagles in that first set, as they finished with three service errors.
Set Two
Set two would once again start out as all Marauders. UMary would lead 7-1 for the second straight set, but
Ellery Ehresmann (Fr., S, Albany, Minn.) would collect a kill to cut the lead to 7-2.
Minnesota Crookston would get within three at 11-8, but UMary would pull away in the set and take a stranglehold on the match.
Set Three
In a do-or-die set three, the Golden Eagles would finally get off to a great start at 4-2, following a kill from
Abigail Ernster (Fr., OH, La Crescent, Minn.).
The set would eventually see the Marauders take a 14-12 lead, but four straight points by the maroon and gold, capped by a Carsten kill would give the Golden Eagles a two point advantage.
A huge block by Malek and Muth would give the Golden Eagles set point at 24-19 and the Golden Eagles would fend off a furious late Marauder rally to win the set by three.
Set Four
The fourth set would see neither team get any breathing room, as the set would be tied at nine, 10 and 11.
From the tie at 11, it would be all UMary, who would score six in a row and take a 17-11 lead.
Minnesota Crookston would score five straight with the help of three kills from Carsten in that run to force a UMary timeout and make it 21-18.
Three would be as close as the Golden Eagles would get, as UMary would win the fourth set and the match in four sets.
Individual Stats
Carsten and Muth were unreal offensively, finishing with 19 kills and 18 kills, respectively. Muth hit a career best .342 with more than 25 attacks. Malek was also sensational, finishing with 10 kills, one shy of a season high on 22 total attacks. Both Carsten and Muth also finished with double-doubles.
Kailee Waasdorp (Jr., DS, West Fargo, N.D.) continued her outstanding run as of late, finishing with 22 digs in the back row.
Dana Melby (R-Sr., S, Gonvick, Minn.) ended the night with 35 assists.
What's Next
Minnesota Crookston is back in action tomorrow afternoon at 2 P.M., against Minot State from the Minot State Dome.
