(Crookston, Minn.)- The University of Minnesota, Crookston Volleyball team entertained the fans on Faculty/Staff Appreciation Night this evening to the team's first NSIC victory of the season over the University of Mary. The Golden Eagles took the first two sets with a combined 26 kills and a second set match-high team attack percentage of .480 (15K-3E-25TA). The Marauders rallied back in set three for 18 kills, just six more than the team totaled in the first two sets combined. The teams battled in set four to a tune of 13 tie scores and 10 lead changes before Amanda Swann (OH, 6-0, FR, Rochester, Mich.) closed the door with the final kill of the match to give U of M, Crookston the 3-1 (25-14, 25-13, 23-25, 27-25) victory.
 
Amber Meyer (OH, 6-2, JR, Paxton, Neb.) and Ashley Allen (OH, 5-11, SR, Buffalo, Minn.) led the Golden Eagles offensively in the match. Meyer finished the night with 18 kills and a .371 (18K-5E-35TA) attack percentage to go along with a team-high three block assists. Allen finished the match with a season-high 14 kills and a .242 (14K-6E-33TA) attack percentage. Allen led all players at the service line with a career-high five service aces and led all defenders with a match-high 11 digs. Doing the setting was Shannon Cologna (S, 5-6, JR, Peoria, Ariz.) who recorded a match-high 42 assists on the 50 Golden Eagle kills. U of M, Crookston as a team recorded a season-tying 14 service aces in the match, a mark that was set on October 10 against Augustana College.
 
The Marauders were led offensively by Amanda Hennessy with 13 kills in the match. For the University of Mary both Katie Hogan and Kendra Hobbs recorded 11 defensive digs. Lacy Murtha did a majority of the setting for the Marauders and recorded a team high 21 assists.
 
The Golden Eagles are 4-18 overall and 1-9 in the NSIC while the Marauders fall to 6-15 and 0-10 in conference play. The Golden Eagles host MSU Moorhead on Saturday, October 17 for the "Dig Pink" match for Breast Cancer Awareness. Golden Eagle fans are invited to wear pink to the event to help raise money. First serve is set for 7 p.m. in Lysaker Gymnasium.
 
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: Ashley Allen