Sioux Falls, S.D. – It was a rare 4 PM start for both Minnesota Crookston and Augustana on Friday afternoon inside the Elmen Center for NSIC Volleyball.
 
Minnesota Crookston was looking for their first NSIC win.
 
The Golden Eagles fought hard in all three sets, but were swept by the home Vikings on Friday.
 
Set One
The Golden Eagles would get off to one of their fastest starts of the conference season, jumping out to a quick 4-0 lead with the help of two kills by Madison Carsten (Jr., OH, Wadena, Minn.).
 
Augustana would eventually tie the set at eight and would take a 15-9 lead, but three in a row by the Golden Eagles would get the Golden Eagles back within three.
 
Augie would take a 20-12 lead but Lexi Scharold (So., MH, Alexandria, Kent.) would collect a kill to try to start the comeback.
 
Five would be as close as the Golden Eagles would get as the Vikings would win the first set by six.
 
Set Two
It would be another fast start in set two for the maroon and gold, who would ride Carsten and Carizma Muth (R-So., OH, Randolph, Wis.) for an early lead.
 
The set would see ties at five and six.
 
The second set would continue to be tight, but the Vikings would take a 16-14 lead.
 
The Vikings would lead 20-17, but an Emma Malek (Jr., MH, Plainfield, Ill.) kill would help the Golden Eagles get within one, but Augustana would win the set by five.
 
Set Three
In the third set, Augustana would jump out to a 4-2 lead, but the Golden Eagles would take a 6-5 lead following a Muth kill.
 
Later in the set, it would be tied at 16, but the Golden Eagles would take a 22-19 lead following a Vikings error.
 
Augie would make one more play than the Golden Eagles and win the match by a pair at 26-24.
 
Individual Stats
Carsten finished with 16 kills on 41 total attacks, giving her 29 total kills in two matches against the Vikings this year. Malek and Muth each added eight kills, while Scharold finished with five.
 
Carsten added another double-double to her career high, giving her 13 on the year, finishing with 11 digs.
 
What's Next
Minnesota Crookston will head to top-10 Wayne State College tomorrow afternoon for a 2 PM first serve.