CROOKSTON, MN - The University of Mary Volleyball team put up big numbers and a fast start in Saturday's weekend closer against the University of Minnesota Crookston. Nehkyah Ellis led with an all-out effort for season highs in kills (16) and points (18.0) as the Marauders fell to the Golden Eagles in comeback fashion 3-2 (25-18, 25-23, 14-25, 20-25, 9-15). 

The Marauders (4-8, 0-4 NSIC) took set one 25-18 over the Golden Eagles (3-9, 1-3 NSIC) after some dominating stretches early and throughout the opening frame. Nehkyah Ellis led the fast start with 5 kills in the first set while Reyna Isenbart added 4 more. 

The Marauders managed to carry some of their momentum into set two, leading 16-9 hot off a five-point run. However, the Golden Eagles managed to put together a significant stretch that saw them erase the deficit and tie the match up twice. Knotted 23-23, the Marauders leading attackers Nehkyah Ellis and Ally Gruber put the Golden Eagles away with a pair of kills for a 25-23 final and a two-set advantage. 

With their backs against the wall, the Golden Eagles mounted an early nine-point run in set three to put them ahead of the Marauders 12-6. Behind Madison Carsten's six kills, Crookston took over the third set to tally one for themselves behind a 25-14 score. 

Momentum shifted back and forth between the two teams in set four, but a late five-point run late would be the difference maker as Crookston took set four 25-20 to force a fifth and final set and erase a 2-0 match deficit. 

Fortune favored the Golden Eagles in set five as they defiantly pulled off a third straight set victory 15-9 to complete the comeback and earn their first win in the Northern Sun on their home opening weekend. 

UMary swung for 51 kills as a team with a 0.128 hitting percentage. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Nehkyah Ellis recorded a season-high 16 kills and added 17 digs and 2 ace serves for her third double-double on the season. 

Alexandria Harper recorded two season-highs in kills (9) and total blocks (5.0) on Saturday. 

Kameron Selvig pitched 40 assists and had 18 digs for her fourth double-double on the season. 

Reyna Isenbart pitched in 8 kills and 6.0 total blocks. 

Ally Gruber had 8 kills and 13 digs. 

Kaia Sueker had 28 digs. 

UP NEXT
UMary Volleyball returns home to the MAC next weekend against Minnesota State and Southwest Minnesota State. The Marauders play the Mavericks next Friday at 6 p.m. and then the Mustangs next Saturday at 2 p.m. Fans won't have to wait long for more volleyball past next weekend as the Marauders will also host Northern State on Tuesday, October 3 at 6 p.m. inside the MAC. 

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