(Findlay, Ohio)- The University of Minnesota, Crookston women's volleyball team entered the University of Findlay Classic today with a five set battle against Lake Superior State University with no set decided by more than four points. The two teams swapped wins through the first four sets with the Golden Eagles sweeping set four and five to take the match 3-2 (21-25, 25-21, 22-25, 25-21, 15-13).
 
The Golden Eagles used strong defense with 84 defensive digs and 7.5 total team blocks in the match to hold the Laker's to a .165 (56K-27E-176TA) team attack percentage. Lake Superior State as a team did not hit over .200 while U of M, Crookston hit well over .200 in four of the five sets (.265, .393, .087, .290, .235).
 
Amber Meyer (OH, 6-2, JR, Paxton, Neb.) led the offensive charge with a match and season high 19 kills and a .350 (19K-5E-40TA) attack percentage. Ashley Allen (OH, 5-11, SR, Buffalo, Minn.) and Alyssa Krikke (MH, 6-0, JR, Grand Rapids, Mich.) followed Meyer with 11 kills each. Setter Shannon Cologna (S, 5-6, JR, Peoria, Ariz.) had an outstanding afternoon with a career high 48 assists, career high seven kills and a career high 15 digs. Amanda Swann (OH, 6-0, FR, Rochester, Mich.) led all defenders with five block assists and added six kills and two service aces. Jaclyn Slepicka (LIB, 5-2, SR, Crystal Lake, Ill.) set a season high with 25 defensive digs for the Golden Eagles.
 
The Laker's were led by Jessica Ewer's 15 kills and .400 (15K-3E-30TA) attack percentage. She was followed by Abby Shereda and Nikki Stratelak who finished the match with 12 kills apiece. Janelle Balkwill assisted on 32 Laker kills and tallied a match high four service aces. Brittany Newberry led all players with 30 defensive digs for Lake Superior State.
 
The Golden Eagles are now 2-3 on the season while Lake Superior State falls to 0-5 overall. U of M, Crookston returns to the court this afternoon to do battle with Wayne State University (MI) at 5 p.m.
 
For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at: www.goldeneaglesports.com. 
 
The University of Minnesota, Crookston is a NCAA Division II Institution and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Golden Eagle Equestrian team is a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).

Photo: Shannon Cologna