Crookston, Minn. – Minnesota Crookston played nationally-ranked Northern State extremely tough on homecoming Friday, but No. 24 Northern State was still able to prevail in three sets (16-25, 19-25, 19-25).
 
Minnesota Crookston falls to 6-8 (0-6 NSIC).
 
Set One
Minnesota Crookston would start slow in set one, trailing by four early, but Madison Carsten (Jr., OH, Wadena, Minn.) would collect a kill to make it 6-2.
 
NSU would stretch their set one lead to 12 at 20-8, but Megan Schoenfelder (Jr., MH, Zumbrota, Minn.) would collect a kill, making it 20-9.
 
NSU would lead 23-12, but the Golden Eagles would force a timeout with three straight kills from Carsten, Abigail Ernster (Fr., OH, La Crescent, Minn.) and Ellery Ehresmann (Fr., S, Albany, Minn.).
 
NSU would win the first set by nine.
 
Set Two
The play at the end of the first set would bode well for the Golden Eagles, who would play extremely well in the second set.
 
NSU would once again start fast and take an 11-7 lead, but four straight by the Golden Eagles, highlighted by a massive double block by Schoenfelder and Carsten, would force a Wolves timeout.
 
The Golden Eagles would take a 14-12 lead and a 15-13 lead, with the help of a huge block from Sophia Haag (Fr., OH, Calgary, Alberta), who made her Golden Eagles on-court debut.
 
NSU would regain a two point lead and never look back, as they would win the crucial second set, 25-19.
 
Set Three
What a start to set three it would be. Carsten and Ernster would finish the rally with kills and Emma Malek (Jr., MH, Plainfield, Ill.) would get a service ace for the maroon and gold for a 3-0 lead.
 
Minnesota Crookston would see that three point lead evaporate in a hurry, as the Wolves would lead 9-5, but Malek would collect a kill, cutting the lead to just one.
 
Carizma Muth (R-So., OH, Randolph, Wis.) would get a kill and a service ace to help the Golden Eagles knot things up at 12.
 
NSU would eventually take a four point lead and although the Golden Eagles would get within two on three different occasions, the Wolves would pull away for the three set win and the win in the match.
 
Individual Stats
Carsten and Muth were outstanding all match, combining for 23 kills and each had solid attacking percentage numbers. Ernster added six kills on 16 total attacks, good for a career best .313 attacking percentage.
 
Kailee Waasdorp (Jr., DS, West Fargo, N.D.) was phenomenal in the back row, finishing with 17 digs, while Muth added eight digs.
 
Ehresmann led the way with 17 total assists.
 
What's Next
The Golden Eagles will go for their first NSIC victory tomorrow afternoon, as they welcome in The University of Jamestown for a 2 P.M., first serve.