Box Score MINOT, N.D. – The battle-back Beavers turned in a solid effort in their home debut but eventually fell in three straight sets to the visiting Golden Eagles of the University of Minnesota Crookston on Tuesday in non-conference volleyball.

Minot State came charging back from deficits in all three sets and nearly pulled out each before falling 25-22, 25-22, 25-19 to Minnesota Crookston in front of more than 200 Beaver faithful at the Minot State Dome.

In the opener, the visiting Golden Eagles (1-4 overall) forged a 21-12 lead and looked to be in control, but the Beavers weren't about to let the guests get away with an easy win.

Instead, Minot State (0-5) came charging back and closed to 22-19 down on an Alexandra Koontz kill before Minnesota Crookston was able to fend off the hosts for the first-set win.

The second set proved similar, but this time Minot State came even closer to the comeback win. Down 17-7, a Mikayla Woodward service ace cut the margin to 21-19, and another Koontz kill got the hosts as close as 22-21 back before Minnesota Crookston finished off the second-set win.

In the third and final set, once again Minnesota Crookston grabbed what looked like a comfortable edge before the Beavers made it very interesting, whittling a 19-12 difference down to a 20-17 margin after a Sophia Peterson kill before the Golden Eagles closed out the set for the win.

Koontz finished with a team-high eight kills and added seven digs, while Roxy King also added eight kills for the Beavers, and Peterson dished out 18 assists and had seven digs on the night for Minot State, which next opens NSIC play at No. 4-ranked Concordia-St. Paul on Friday.