CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston made their home debut Friday, September 19 but fell 3-0 (25-13, 25-13, 25-9) to #17 Wayne State College at Gary Senske Court at Lysaker Gymnasium. The Golden Eagles held close early on in both the first, and second sets. However, Wayne State controlled the end of both sets to gain the momentum and earn the sweep Friday.

Minnesota Crookston falls to 6-3 (0-1 NSIC) following their 2025 NSIC debut. They continue their best mark since 2014 when they opened with a 7-2 record. Wayne State dropped to 7-2 (1-0 NSIC) with the win.

Team Stats
Minnesota Crookston struggled with errors Friday, committing 26 attack errors and notching 24 kills. They hit -.016 for the night. Their best set was the first with eight kills, and seven errors. Wayne State had 40 kills, and just seven errors. They hit .317, including .344 in the third set. The Wildcats were also able to keep a lot of rallies alive defensively with 61 digs, for 20.33 digs per set. 

Top Performers
Carizma Muth (R-So., OH/RS, Randolph, Wis.) led the Golden Eagles with eight kills, but hit -.057. Madison Carsten (Jr., OH, Wadena, Minn.) tallied seven hills, and hit .129. Emma Malek (Jr., MH, Plainfield, Ill.) added five kills, hitting .059. Ellery Ehresmann (Fr., S, Albany, Minn.) paced the team with 12 assists. 

On the block, Lexi Scharold (So., MH, Alexandria, Minn.) paced the Golden Eagles with three block assists. Muth chipped in two. Defensively, Kailee Waasdorp (Jr., DS/Lib., West Fargo, N.D.) guided the team with 17 digs. Ehresmann chipped in eight.

Mattie Kamery guided the Wayne State offense with 12 kills, while Channatee Robles tallied 10. At setter, Molly Romano led the squad with 30 assists. Defensively, Robles tallied 14 digs, while Anna Borner added 14. Kamery finished with 13. 

Set by Set
The Golden Eagles held a 6-5 lead early in the first set following a Muth kill. Wayne State rallied for three-straight, using a Robles kill to go ahead 8-6. Minnesota Crookston was within 13-10 after a Muth kill. Wayne State gained momentum by rattling off a 5-1 rally to take an 18-11 advantage. The Wildcats would build on the tempo to take a 25-13 set one victory.

In the second set, Minnesota Crookston was knotted 7-7 after a bad set by Romano. The Golden Eagles were within 10-9 following a Carsten kill. Minnesota Crookston held close at 13-10 after a Muth kill. However, Wayne State responded and went on a 7-1 run to take a 20-11 advantage. The Wildcats won the set 25-13 on a Kamery kill.

Wayne State controlled the third set early with a 6-0 run out of the jump, and didn't look back. The Wildcats took the set 25-9, and the match 3-0.

Up Next
Minnesota Crookston hosts Augustana University Saturday, September 20 at 2 p.m., in Crookston.