The Crookston Pirate Volleyball team traveled to Plummer on Thursday night for a match against the Red Lake County Central (RLCC) Mustangs. All three sets were close, but they all went in favor of the Mustangs giving them the three set win (25-20, 25-23, 25-18) over the Pirates.
First Set
The first set went back and forth with the teams tied at 4-4 early on. The Mustangs would then take control getting four straight points and six of the next seven to go in front 10-5. The Pirates serving would keep them in the set as they got aces from Libby Salentine, Lorelai Hebert, and McKenzie Funk. The Pirates would still find themselves down 16-9 however and they would take a timeout to talk things over. Off the timeout, Crookston would get back-to-back points, but the Mustangs would hold a five point lead until they extended it once again to go up 23-15. The Pirates wouldn’t quit, and after another ace by McKenzie Funk, and three straight points, RLCC would take a timeout still in front 23-18. After a Mustangs point, Crookston would fight off two set points but eventually lose the set 25-20 to fall behind in the match 1-0.
Second Set
The start of the second set featured runs with Crookston pulling in front 6-1. The run was highlighted with back-to-back aces from Lorelai Hebert. RLCC would counter with a run of their own scoring seven of the next nine to tie the set at 8-8 and force a Pirates timeout. Crookston would regather themselves after three more points from the Mustangs, and go on another run to tie things back up at 13-13. The two teams would trade point after point from there until it was 16-15 Mustangs. The Pirates would capitalize on a couple of RLCC violations and score three straight to pull in front 18-16 forcing an RLCC timeout. RLCC would once again tie the match at 19-19 and it would be a race to six points. After the teams traded points, Crookston would pull in front with two straight points capped off by a McKenzie Funk kill, giving them a 22-20 edge. The Mustangs weren’t rattled and would score four straight of their own to give themselves a set point in front 24-22. Crookston would fight off a set point on a Libby Salentine kill, but the Mustangs would win the set on the next point 25-23 to go in front 2-0 with a chance to win the match in the third set.
Third Set
The Pirates would pull ahead early in the second set before the Mustangs countered with a run to go in front 8-4. Crookston had opportunities throughout the third set but mistakes plagued the Pirates and they would never lead again in the set. RLCC would rattle off a 7-2 run to go in front 15-6 and that would force a Crookston timeout. The Pirates would show some fight towards the end of the set, but the Mustangs would finish the job winning the set 25-18, and winning the match in three sets.
Crookston falls to 1-11 on the season and will be back in action this weekend when they host the Crookston Invite on Saturday. RLCC improves to 3-9 with the win.
FOR PIRATES COACH KATIE ENGELSTAD’S COMMENTS, CLICK BELOW
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| CROOKSTON | 20 | 23 | 18 |
| RLCC | 25 | 25 | 25 |
For CROOKSTON
Kills – Libby Salentine- (7), Anna Funk, Destiny Goulet-Ramirez- (4 each)
Blocks – NONE
Digs – Dani Kresl- (13), Lorelai Hebert- (5)
Assists – Anna Funk- (9), Libby Salentine- (7)
Aces – Makenzie Funk, Lorelai Hebert- (2 each)
For RLCC
Kills – Jamie Flatgard- (8), Paige Olson, Marissa Thomas- (4 each)
Blocks – Jamie Flatgard- (3), Ella Moen- (1)
Digs –
Assists – Molly Smith- (12), Keira Morinville- (9)
Aces – Jamie Flatgard- (4), Keira Morinville, Quinn Graves- (1 each)
