The Crookston Pirate Volleyball team started slow but did not give up for a second. They went on multiple runs and gave everything they had, but it just wasn’t enough, as the Prowlers downed the Pirates in three sets (25-11, 25-18, 25-17) at the Crookston High School gymnasium.
FIRST SET
The first set began with Emma LaPlante scoring back-to-back kills for the Pirates. Crookston hung around through the beginning of the first set, but the Prowlers began to pull away using their high-octane offensive attack with the help of multiple kills by Marley Anderson, Taylor Berg, and Josie Peterson. The Prowler serves were also aggressive, and they caused multiple serve-receive errors by the Pirates. Crookston continued to fight, and LaPlante and Mackenzie Funk continued to lead the way in kills, but at 18-9, Avah Waldal recorded three kills in the last seven points as the Prowlers went on a run to take the first set 25-11.
SECOND SET
Starting the second set was almost identical to set one, with Crookston hanging around early in the set, with help from the first of two Makenna Kopecky aces. The Prowlers went on a run after that, increasing their lead from 8-6 to 18-9, warranting a Coach Katie Morgan timeout. It seemed like the set would just end in dominating fashion by the Prowlers, but Crookston had other ideas. An ace by Joey Nesseth, followed by two serve/receive errors, sparked a Crookston run, and out of the timeout, they were able to cut the score to 19-16. The Prowler heavy hitters would step up, however, as multiple Peterson kills and a Morgan Oistad ace sealed the second set at 25-18.
THIRD SET
At the start of set three, Crookston came out flat and TRF took advantage, scoring nine of the first ten points, sparking an early Coach Morgan timeout. Most of the Prowler points came from serve/receive errors or balls into the net. Out of the timeout, however, the Pirates once again showed grit and determination and began to chip away at the lead with help from LaPlante and Funk. Just like set two, the Pirates were able to whittle the lead down to three, but the Prowlers would not be denied as another Oistad ace set up set point, and a powerful Anderson kill wrapped the match, ending the final set at 25-17.
The effort was most certainly there for the Pirates, and Coach Morgan was making sure they knew it when we talked to her postgame. “I kept telling the girls that I set such high expectations for them because I know they can…there was so much effort, and they didn’t give up; they were fighting after every ball,” said Coach Morgan. “I keep telling the girls to control what they can control…I get tired of saying it, so I know that they’re tired of hearing it.” Crookston now has five days before they’re next match on Monday at Fertile-Beltrami. Coach Morgan ended the interview, making it very clear that practice is paying off. “I hope other teams see this…we are making great progress,” said Morgan. “Teams should be nervous to play us.”
Crookston drops to 0-6 on the year and will play at Fertile-Beltrami on Monday. Thief River Falls improves to 7-2 on the year.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Thief River Falls | 25 | 25 | 25 |
| Crookston | 11 | 18 | 17 |
For Crookston
Kills – Emma LaPlante 6, Mackenzie Funk 5
Blocks – none
Digs – Emily Bowman 9, Joey Nesseth 6
Assists – Makenna Kopecky 6, Rilynn Aubol 3
Aces –Makenna Kopecky 2
For Thief River Falls
Kills – Avah Waldal 12, Marley Anderson 10, Josie Peterson 5
Blocks – Avah Waldal, Marley Anderson 1
Digs – Riley Brouse 13
Assists – Sophie Touges 15
Aces – Riley Brouse, Morgan Oistad 2
