University of Minnesota Crookston Athletics

San Marcos, Calif. -- Minnesota Crookston volleyball made their way to the West Coast for the Cougar Classic, playing UC Merced to open up the tournament.

The story of the match would be fast starts by the Golden Eagles and big runs by the Bobcats, who would win the match in four sets (18-25, 25-23, 17-25, 23-25).

Minnesota Crookston falls to 1-4 on the season.

Set One

It would be a good start for the Golden Eagles, who would get back-to-back kills from Emma Malek (Sr., MH, Plainfield, Ill.) and Madison Carsten (Sr., OH, Wadena, Minn.) for an early 3-1 lead.

Another Carsten kill would get the Golden Eagles their largest lead of the set at 6-3, but the Bobcats would go on a 12-3 run to take a 15-9 lead.

Minnesota Crookston would get back in the set and force a Bobcat timeout, trailing 18-16.

The Bobcats would go on another large run, finishing off the set on a 7-2 run for the first set win, 25-18.

Carsten led the way with seven kills on 13 total attacks in the first set.

Set Two

Minnesota Crookston would once again start fast in the middle set, taking a 7-4 lead, following yet another Carsten kill, her eighth of the match up to that point.

An Ellery Ehresmann (So., S, Albany, Minn.) sneak attack for a kill would give the Golden Eagles a 10-6 lead, forcing a Bobcat timeout.

Following the timeout, UC Merced would inch closer and actually take a 14-13 lead, before Abigail Ernster (So., OH, La Crescent, Minn.) would end the run with a kill.

Ehresmann would give the Golden Eagles the lead back with a service ace.

Tied at 18, Brooklyn Gysbers (Fr., OH, Wadena, Minn.), who just entered the match, would collect a kill for a 19-18 lead, which would be followed by a Carsten service ace.

That would be the first of two kills in the run from Gysbers, who would force a timeout with a huge swing down the left line for a 22-18 lead, forcing a timeout.

Minnesota Crookston would see their lead grow to six at 24-18, but a furious rally from UC Merced would make it 24-23, but Malek would get sick of the set and put it away with a big kill to knot the match up at one.

Set Three

The third set would see no breathing room from either side, but the Golden Eagles would take a 12-10 lead following a Bobcat error.

The set would once again be tied at 12, but another huge swing from Carsten would regain a 13-12 lead.

The Bobcats would take a 17-14 lead, forcing a Kathleen Rustad timeout. Following the timeout, Gysbers would make it a two point game with another kill.

UC Merced would control the rest of the set and win by eight.

Set Four

For the third time in four sets, it would be a good start for the Golden Eagles, who would use some strong play at the net for a 7-3 lead.

UC Merced would take an 18-12 lead, but Ava Leingang (Fr., OH/RS, Fargo, N.D.), making her first appearance of her collegiate career, would lead the Golden Eagles on a service run.

UC Merced would lead 24-18 and face five service points, but Malek would lead the Golden Eagles to five straight points, but the Bobcats would close the set and the match out.

Final Stats

Carsten led the way with 13 kills on 44 total attacks, while Lexi Scharold (Jr., MH, Alexandria, Kent.) finished with 10 kills on 20 total attacks for a season-high .450 attacking percentage.

Playing in her first match of the season, Malek finished with six kills and 13 digs. Carsten finished with her second double-double of the season, finishing with 12 digs, while Ehresmann also added 12 digs and 23 assists. Gysbers finished with a career-high six kills on 13 total attacks.

What's Next

Minnesota Crookston will play host California State-San Marcos for a 2 P.M. (CT) first serve, tomorrow afternoon.