University of Minnesota Athletics
GOPHER VOLLEYBALL CONTINUES WINNING WAYS OVER PURDUE
11/12/1999 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Branagh led an efficient Minnesota offense that hit .461 for the match, compared to Purdue's .233 hitting percentage. Yvonne Wichert added 15 kills at a .481 hitting percentage, and Stephanie Hagen notched 13 kills at a .632 percentage. Minnesota outblocked Purdue, 14-4, with Charnette Fair's seven blocks leading the way.
"That was the best job we have done all year in taking an opponent's best shot, and turning the match in our favor," said Minnesota head coach Mike Hebert. "Purdue believed that they could compete with us in their gym, but we really made a statement at the end of the second game. That was one of the best matches we have played all year."
The first game was a long one, taking 33 minutes to complete. Purdue took two leads in the first game, including an 8-5 lead in the middle of the game. Minnesota retook the lead at 11-10 on a kill by Wichert, and did not trail for the remainder of the game. Purdue closed to within 13-12, but kills by Branagh and Hagen finished the game. Branagh had 11 kills and hit .500 in the opening game, while Hagen added seven kills at a .667 hitting percentage.
Purdue came out fast in the second game, scoring the first seven points. The teams traded points to give Purdue an 8-1 advantage, but the Gophers scored the final 14 points of the game to take a 15-8 victory. The Gophers hit .444 with just two hitting errors in the second game, compared to Purdue's .225 hitting percentage.
It was Minnesota's turn for the quick start in the third game, scoring the first nine points of the game. Minnesota's block was the difference in the third game, blocking back eight Purdue attempts.
The Gophers conclude their road swing with a match tonight at Wisconsin. Match time has been changed to 7:30 p.m. due to the later start of the Iowa-Wisconsin football game.
BIG TEN STANDINGS Penn State 15-0 25-1 Minnesota 13-2 23-5 Wisconsin 10-5 17-8 Illinois 9-6 13-8 Michigan St. 8-7 18-9 Ohio State 7-8 13-9 Indiana 7-9 16-9 Purdue 6-9 14-10 Michigan 4-11 12-12 Iowa 3-12 4-18 Northwestern 1-14 3-22 Friday's Matches Minnesota d. Purdue, 3-0 (15-12, 15-8, 15-2) Indiana d. Northwestern, 3-0 (15-8, 15-6, 15-7) Ohio State d. Michigan State, 3-2 (17-15, 13-15, 15-8, 4-15, 15-11) Penn State d. Michigan, 3-0 (15-2, 15-11, 15-6) Wisconsin d. Iowa, 3-0 (scores unavailable) Saturday's Matches Minnesota at Wisconsin, 7:30 Iowa at Purdue Michigan State at Penn State Northwestern at Illinois
