University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball put together its most complete match of the season in a convincing sweep over the Bemidji State Beavers in an NSIC match played at Lysaker Gymnasium in Crookston.
In the first set, Bemidji State jumped out to a 1-0 lead before an attack error followed by an ace served by Katie Lienemann (Soph., Rosemount) gave the Golden Eagles a 2-1 lead. A Deaira Gresham (Soph., Maplewood) spiked pushed the Minnesota Crookston lead to 4-3 before Sydney Kruisselbrink (Soph., Rochester) tallied a point for the Golden Eagles pushing the lead to 5-3. The UMC lead grew to 7-5 after a Callie Schapekahm (Sr., Eagan) ace. The Golden Eagles used another three-point run including an ace served by Lauren Ulibarri (Jr., Flagstaff) giving Minnesota Crookston a 12-9 lead. Back-to-back aces served by Ali Schueler (R-Jr., Howards Grove, WI) sparked another three-point run giving the Golden Eagles a 17-12 lead. Bemidji State responded with three-straight points to pull within 17-15 before a Deaira Gresham kill reestablished a three-point lead for Minnesota Crookston. The Golden Eagles continued to play well the rest of the set, not allowing Bemidji State to pull within less than three before UMC closed out the first set 25-20. “Getting back to our aggressive serving,” said Sarah Rauen on the keys to a first set victory. “We had some really good servers tonight that limited Bemidji’s offense and made it a lot easier on our defense.”
With the match tied at 10-10 in the second set, Minnesota Crookston took advantage of Bemidji State’s sluggish play to take a 2-0 set lead. A service error followed by a Beavers’ attack error gave the Golden Eagles a 12-10 lead. Back-to-back UMC kills pushed the lead to 14-11, before two more Bemidji State errors and a kill from Gresham gave Minnesota Crookston a 17-11 lead. The Golden Eagles continued to earn points off Beavers’ miscues before closing the second set 25-16 after a Bemidji State attacking error. “We were able to get under their skin a little bit and affect some of their players which is a good thing,” said Rauen. “They made a few more errors so I was happy with how we stayed aggressive and attacked them.”
Minnesota Crookston jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the third set eyeing a sweep. The lead grew to 8-1 following another Golden Eagles’ four-point run. Bemidji State battled back to pull within 11-9 before UMC added an additional four-point streak pulling ahead 15-9. The Beavers battled back to within 15-12, before a service error and a Kaitlin Sikkink (R-Jr., St. Charles) kill gave the Golden Eagles a 17-12 lead. An attack error sparked a three-kill streak for Minnesota Crookston pushing the lead to 21-13 before Kruisslebrink closed out the sweep with a kill to clinch the third set 25-19. “Bemidji, they’re fighters,” noted Rauen. “They gave us a little fight there at the end, but I was pleased with how we were able to keep our composure and finish it out.”
Minnesota Crookston improves to 4-16 overall and 2-10 in the NSIC. The Golden Eagles return to court Friday when they host Minnesota State-Mankato at 6 p.m. Bemidji State falls to 5-15 overall and 2-10 in conference play.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Bemidji State | 20 | 16 | 19 |
| UMC | 25 | 25 | 25 |
For UMC
Kills – Deaira Gresham – 11, Kaitlin Sikkink – 6, Porsh Porath – 5
Assists – Deaira Gresham – 29, Porsh Porath – 27, Lauren Wallace – 14, Kaitlin Sikkink – 13
Digs – Katie Lienemann – 14, Deaira Gresham – 9, Lauren Ulibarri – 8, Ali Schueler – 7
Aces – Lauren Ulibarri – 2, Callie – Schapekahm – 2, Ali Schueler – 2
