University of Minnesota Athletics
GOPHERS DEFEAT 15th-RANKED BADGERS IN BIG TEN VOLLEYBALL OPENER
9/24/1999 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
1Nicole Branagh pounded 30 kills, while Yvonne Wichert added 20 kills and 21 digs as Minnesota defeated 15th-ranked Wisconsin in four games, 14-16, 15-9, 15-7, 15-9, in the Big Ten opener for both teams. The Gophers improve to 10-3, while the Badgers drop to 7-4. Branagh established a season high in kills and a personal career high for a four-game match. She had 19 digs to go along with the 30 kills, falling one dig shy of her career high set earlier this season at UCLA. Wichert had the first 20-20 match (20 kills, 20 digs) of her career and added six blocks. Stephanie Hagen returned to the lineup after missing eight matches with a sprained ankle and crushed 18 kills, just one shy of her career high. The Gophers (10-3, 1-0 Big Ten) outhit the Badgers (7-4, 0-1 Big Ten) .264-.105, limiting Wisconsin under a .200 hitting percentage in every game of the match. Minnesota had 17 errors in the first game, but became much more efficient as the match progressed, hitting just 17 errors in the final three games of the match. Wisconsin raced out to a 9-2 advantage in blocks early in the match, but Minnesota came back and out-blocked the Badgers 20-18 for the match. The Gophers served a season-high 22 service errors and just six aces in the win. Minnesota broke a four-match losing streak against the Badgers, and improved its current streak against all opponents to eight wins in nine matches. It is Minnesota's first win against a ranked opponent since the Gophers defeated Ohio State last season. The Gophers will host Purdue, a four-game loser at Iowa on Friday, at the Sports Pavilion on Saturday at 7 p.m.
Cinematic Recap: Gophers Sweep Illini
Thursday, October 30
Highlights: Gophers 3, Illinois 0
Wednesday, October 29
Highlights: Gophers 2, Purdue 3
Sunday, October 26
Highlights: Gophers 3, Indiana 1
Friday, October 24