(Crookston, Minn.)- The University of Minnesota, Crookston Volleyball team returned to Lysaker Gymnasium today to face St. Cloud State University this afternoon. The Golden Eagles came out slow losing the first two sets, but picked up their game battling to a five set match that lasted just shy of two hours. U of M, Crookston fought hard in sets four and five where the score was tied a total of 21 times with 10 lead changes. Ultimately, the Huskies bested the Golden Eagles with a 17-15 fifth set victory to take the match 3-2 (25-14, 25-18, 17-25, 24-26, 17-15).
 
Amber Meyer (OH, 6-2, JR, Paxton, Neb.) led all attackers with a match-high 23 kills. She recorded five service aces including four in a row in the third set. Alyssa Krikke (MH, 6-0, JR, Grand Rapids, Mich.) and Ashley Allen (OH, 5-11, SR, Buffalo, Minn.) added double-digit kills with 15 and 12 respectively. As a team U of M, Crookston had 60 kills in the match, equal to the Huskies. Setting for the Golden Eagles was Shannon Cologna (S, 5-6, JR, Peoria, Ariz.) who posted an impressive 57 assists good for a match-high. Libero Jaclyn Slepicka (LIB, 5-2, SR, Crystal Lake, Ill.) earned 18 defensive digs in the match. As a team the Golden Eagles had 10 block assists with five of those coming from Alyssa Krikke.
 
The Huskies were carried offensively by two athletes who recorded over half of their total kills. Kayla Tschida led the way with 20 kills and solid .425 (20K, 3E, 40TA) attack percentage. Ashley Shield posted 16 kills and a .306 (16K, 5E, 36TA) attack percentage. Leading the team in defensive digs was Sarah Madden with a match-high 19.
 
The Golden Eagles are 3-14 overall and 0-5 in the NSIC while the Huskies advance to 6-12 overall and 2-4 in conference play. U of M, Crookston continues play on Tuesday, September 29th at home taking on Lakehead University out of Thunder Bay, Ontario. The non-conference match is set to start at 7 p.m.
 
For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at: www.goldeneaglesports.com.

Photo: Amber Meyer 
 
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).