MANKATO, Minn. – Minnesota State volleyball (11-10, 6-7) defeated the Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles (3-18, 1-12) in three sets, 3-0. This marks the Mavericks' ninth-straight win against Minnesota Crookston.

The first set started off neck-and-neck, until the score was 13-10 in the favor of the Mavericks. The Mavericks went on to score 12 of the next 17 points to take the first set, 25-15. The second set was also very back-and-forth. The Golden Eagles brought the score within one, 18-19, but Minnesota State pulled away quickly, finishing out the set on a 6-1 run, taking the second set 25-19. The third set was more definitively the Mavericks', especially at the end of the match, when the Mavericks won seven straight points, with reigning NSIC Defensive Player of the Week, Kiya Durant serving. Minnesota State closed out Minnesota Crookston 25-14.

The Mavericks were led offensively by Elizabeth Dille, who had a match-high 12 kills. Sophie Tietz filled up the box score, recording eight kills, four aces and seven blocks. Emily Kern had six blocks of her own, and Durant recorded three. Brooke Bolwerk had 26 assists and freshman Skylar Walters contributed eight assists of her own. Libero Ellie Kline recorded 10 digs. Toryn Richards had nine digs and Bolwerk had eight.

The Golden Eagles were led by Bailey Schaefer, who recorded nine kills against Minnesota State. Kailee Waasdorp had 13 digs and an ace. Maya Jones had nine kills and a block. Emma Malek assisted on 23 of the Golden Eagles' points.

"Tonight was scrappy, but we expected that coming in," said Mavericks head coach, Corey Phelps. "Our focus was to make sure that we stayed intentful, disciplined and energetic, so that we can play at a high level […] despite some unorthodox, long plays. We were able to maintain that energy throughout for the most part and stay aggressive."

Phelps made sure to note that the job wasn't done yet: "Our focus this weekend is to stay locked-in and outwork the opponents. We need to make sure tomorrow, we come mentally ready to outwork [Bemidji], stay locked in and have great energy."

The Mavericks return to action tomorrow (Saturday, Oct. 28) morning at 11 a.m. at the Taylor Center to take on the Beavers of Bemidji State (8-13, 5-8). The Mavericks will continue sponsoring a menstrual product drive for the CADA House at the matches on Saturday. Monetary donations will go to the women's center on campus and product donations will go to the CADA House.