(Crookston, Minn.)- The University of Minnesota, Crookston Volleyball team hosted the Northern State University Wolves tonight in Lysaker Gymnasium. Both teams were searching for their first NSIC victory and it showed as the squads battled for  34 tie scores and 18 lead changes. The service line was nobody's friend tonight as the team's combined for 21 service errors. It was the Wolves however that found a way through the errors to take the match 3-0 (25-11, 27-25, 27-25).
 
Northern State exploded out of the gates and went on an 18-3 run to take the first set. The teams battled for 20 ties and 10 lead changes in set two with the Golden Eagles out-attacking the Wolves .250 (14K-5E-36TA) to .211 (14K-6E-38TA). Seven Minnesota, Crookston service errors in the second session spelled a tough second set loss. NSU's defense played tough in the third and final set to hold the Golden Eagle offense to a .026 (10K-9E-38TA) attack percentage to take the match.
 
Alexandra Skeeter (OH, 5-10, Fr., Milwaukee, Wis.) led the Golden Eagle offense with eight kills and a .250 (8K-3E-20TA) attack percentage. Setter Shannon Cologna (S, 5-8, Sr., Peoria, Ariz.) led all players with a game-high 27 assists. Danielle Rueter (OH, 5-9, So., Burlington, Wis.) led all players with two service aces and finished with six kills. Chelsea Wiesner (DS, 5-8, Fr., Rochester, Minn.) and Alyssa Krikke (MH, 6-0, Sr., Grand Rapids, Mich.) played solid defense for UMC tonight. Wiesner finished with a match-high 15 defensive digs while Krikke finished with three total blocks (1 solo, 4 assisted).
 
Northern State was led by Whitney Morsching who finished with a game-high 11 kills. Setter Megan Gilbraith led the Wolves with 24 assists while Ella Cambell added 12 defensive digs and Kaili Aiono knocked down seven block assists.
 
The Golden Eagles are 0-16 overall and 0-8 in NSIC play. Northern State advances to 9-8 overall and 1-7 in conference play. Minnesota, Crookston returns to Lysaker Gymnasium tomorrow afternoon to host the University of Mary. First serve is scheduled for 4 p.m.
 
For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at: www.goldeneaglesports.com.
 
The University of Minnesota, Crookston is an 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: Alexandra Skeeter
 
 
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