Morris, Minn. – The Crown volleyball team was defeated by Minnesota Morris on Tuesday night but took encouragement from winning the third set against the perennial UMAC power in a 3-1 loss. 

The Cougars took the first two sets by 25-5 and 25-18 scores, but Crown rallied in the third to take the set 25-23.  The Polars rallied from 9-5 down to tie things up at 11 and built a 22-17 lead with a 3-0 spurt that included two kills from Hailey Klein. 
The Cougars rallied back, winning five of the last seven points, but a service error at 23-24 handed the Polars the set.

Morris fought back to take the fourth set and the match, but coach Brittany Strange's team will be emboldened by the performance against a top team. 

Klein led the team with nine kills while Shaelyn Mcneill and Samantha Swanson shared the team lead with 12 assists each.  Sage Johnston had a team-high eleven digs with Swanson adding nine.  Teagan Kuckkahn and Ashley Earick contributed two blocks apiece. 

The Polars now have more than a week off before travelling to Carleton College  next Wednesday.