CROOKSTON, MN – Saturday afternoon saw a thrilling 5-set volleyball matchup in the Lysaker Gymnasium with the visiting University of Mary volleyball team prevailing over the University of Minnesota Crookston (26-28, 25-20, 19-25, 25-21, 15-13). This marks the first Northern Sun conference match victory of the season for the Marauders.

Many Marauders had career days in the 3-2 victory Saturday afternoon. Nehkyah Ellis spearheaded the attack once again, hammering home a season-best 16 kills while hitting a very solid 0.229%. Ellis also had a hand in two assists offensively for the Marauders, but her 21 digs on the defensive side earned the senior her fourth double-double of the season.

For the second straight day, Maddie Cooper was a force in the middle. After leading the Marauders in kills against Bemidji State, Cooper turned in an even better day with a career-high 12 kills against Crookston. Her kill contributions were second to Ellis, but Cooper proved again to be an efficient attacker hitting an outstanding 0.313%. To compliment her presence offensively, Cooper dominated in the front row for the Marauders defensively. UMary outmatched Crookston in the blocks stat line 17-5 with Cooper tallying 12 total blocks (5 solo, 7 assisted). Cooper's performance marks her first double-double performance of the season and her career at UMary.

Emily Torborg was the third Marauder of the day with a double-double performance. The junior middle hitter from Lakeville, MN turned in 11 kills for the Marauders which ties her season-best after also collecting 11 kills on September 3 against Cameron University. Torborg added 12 digs defensively.

Reyna Isenbart narrowly missed becoming the fourth Marauder of the day with a double-double. The junior from Stratton, CO, still had a great day with 11 kills and nine digs for the Marauders. Sophomore Alexandria Harper also added four kills and four total blocks.

The Marauders success offensively against Crookston could also be a testament to the setting of Maddy Freed. A freshman setter from Lawrence, KS, Freed looked phenomenal Saturday afternoon dishing out her career-best 47 assists while also contributing three kills, six digs, and four total blocks.

Kaia Sueker once again had a great day defensively as the Marauders libero. Sueker helped keep the plays alive for the Marauders with 24 digs, her second-highest total in a match this season after her astonishing 38 dig performance against Cameron on September 3. Saturday marked the fifth time this season Sueker collected at least 20 digs. As a team, UMary dug up 86 balls against Crookston.

McKenna Kirkpatrick enjoyed success from the service line as she led UMary with two aces in the matchup. The sophomore from Chapman, KS, also had five digs.
 
UP NEXT
The UMary volleyball team will return home to the McDowell Activity Center this coming weekend September 23-24. The Marauders will host Upper Iowa University Friday night (6 pm), followed by a Saturday afternoon meeting with Winona State University (2 pm).
 
FOLLOW LIVE
Visit www.goumary.com/coverage for links to webcasts and live stats for all Marauders sports.
 
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