The Crookston Pirate Volleyball team hosted the Ada-Borup/West Cougars in their home opener at the Crookston High School gymnasium. Crookston’s slow start in the first set proved to be costly, as the Cougars would win in three sets 25-11, 25-17, 25-12.
First Set
Crookston’s first set woes carried over from their last match, as the Cougars started the match on a 10-1. The Pirates’ communication miscues, and some excellent outside hitting by the Cougars made this set a lop-sided affair. The Pirates couldn’t string together points to shave away from their deficit. The Pirates would get it to 6-14, before the Cougars would lead the rest of the set by at least ten points. Morgan Engel found a weak spot cross-court from her positioning that the Pirates could not stop. Down the middle, the Pirates did manage to get some blocks from Mackenzie Funk and Grace Fisher to slow down Ada-Borup/West, but eventually closed out this set 25-11.
Second Set
The second set proved to be the best set for the Pirates. They would get their first lead of the game off a Cougar serve that went into the net, and that would be the only lead the Pirates had in this set. But this set was very close, with both teams scoring points and the lead staying within four until the Cougars started to pull away after a Morgan Engel kill made it 11-18 in favor of Ada-Borup/West. The Cougars got it to 12-20 before the Pirates tried to mount a comeback starting off with a Joey Nesseth block. The Pirates got back to within five before the Cougars took back control, finishing this set 25-17.
Third Set
The third set started off close, with teams trading points again, before Crookston would get their second, and final lead of the game at 3-2. The play of the third set was not as clean from both teams, foot faults, double hits, some unforced errors kept this set close right away. Then the Cougars would get some excellent serving in this set from Sarah Prodzinksi with a couple aces to pull away from the Pirates. Crookston tried to hang on, sticking with the Cougars during some longer rallies, including a great play by Hannah Brouse getting a diving dig, and then another while getting up from the first dig. But the Cougars were able to go on a seven point run to end the match 25-12.
Crookston drops to 0-3 on the season, and will travel to Red Lake Falls on Tuesday, September 6, a game you’ll be able to hear on KROX. The Cougars improve to 2-0 and will take on Sacred Heart next Tuesday as well.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| CROOKSTON | 11 | 17 | 12 |
| Ada-Borup/West | 25 | 25 | 25 |
For CROOKSTON
Kills – Grace Fisher (3)
Blocks – Grace Fisher (4)
Digs – Danielle Kresel (12), Anna Funk (8)
Assists – Libby Salentine (3)
Aces – Mackenzie Funk (1)
For Ada-Borup/West
Kills – Morgan Engel (9), Sarah Prodzinski (4)
Blocks – Lauren Thompson (2)
Digs – Matte Stene (11)
Assists – Holly Flom (5)
Aces – Sarah Prodzinski (3)
