University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers On the Road Again This Week; Off to Purdue
10/21/2011 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Oct. 21, 2011
GOPHERS BACK ON THE ROAD THIS WEEKEND
The No. 14 University of Minnesota volleyball program travels for the second time this week as the Golden Gophers face No. 12 Purdue, on Oct. 22. Saturday's match is at 6 p.m. in West Lafayette, Ind., at Holloway Gymnasium.
ON THE DOCKET
The Golden Gophers will be on the road for the second-straight week as they travel to Northwestern and No. 1 Illinois, Oct. 28-29. Both matches start at 7 p.m.
GOPHER ALL-ACCESS
Fans that can't make it to the matches against Purdue, Gopher All-Access is your place to be to watch all the action. You can join Gopher All-Access for $9.95 per month or $79.95 per year. Also, this winter you can watch several Gopher men's basketball and women's basketball games, along with select Gopher men's hockey, women's hockey and wrestling events. Gopher All-Access is also part of the Big Ten Digital Network. If you upgrade to the Big Ten package, you can access hundreds of live events featuring all 12 conference schools.
ALL-TIME RECORD
Minnesota is 42-27 all time against the Purdue Boilermakers since 1975. Minnesota faced Purdue on Nov. 6 in West Lavalette, Ind with a four-set win. Minnesota has won the last 11 matches between the two teams, although the first time Purdue has been ranked ahead of the Gophers since 2006.
THE LAST TIME
Minnesota volleyball team defeated Purdue (16-9, 7-7) in four sets by scores of 25-18, 21-25, 31-29, 25-22 at Holloway Gym in West Lafayette, Ind. on Saturday, Nov. 6. Ashley Wittman finished with 17 kills, 10 digs and four blocks on the night, while former Gopher Lauren Gibbemeyer hit .400 (11-1-25) with 11 kills and eight blocks. Tori Dixon had 11 kills, seven digs and six blocks. Jessica Granquist had 30 digs and Mia Tabberson had 51 assists, seven digs and three kills in her first collegiate start in her homestate of Indiana.
ABOUT PURDUE
Purdue enters the Minnesota match with a 17-3 overall record and a 6-3 mark against Big Ten opponents. Purdue's three conference losses have come against Illinois, Nebraska and Penn State all in four sets. Like Minnesota, the Boilermakers won in five sets against it's rivalry, Indiana, on Wednesday. Purdue hosted the Hoosiers as Ariel Turner posted a career-high 28 kills and added 16 digs in the 25-13, 30-32, 25-23, 23-25, 15-6 win. Turner leads the team with 323 kills, averaging 4.75 kills per set. Tiffany Fisher has 186 kills (2.74 kps), while Catherine Rebarchak has 128 (1.94 kps). Kierra Jones leads the Boilermakers in blocks per set (1.27)
TALLYING UP THE POINTS
Saturday's match will feature two of the Big Ten's strongest outside hitters in the league in Minnesota's Ashley Wittman and Purdue's Ariel Turner. In overall matches, Turner leads the league averaging 4.75 kills per set and in points, averaging 5.45 points per set. Ashley Wittman will follow closely behind Turner, ranking second in points (5.08 pps) and kills (4.59 kps). Both have had career-best 28 kills in a match. Wittman accomplished the feat earlier this year against Kansas, while Turner had 28 Wednesday against Indiana. Wittman and Turner also have their share of digs, as Wittman has 200, while Turner has 161.
GOPHERS ON THE ROAD
Minnesota has been on the road more than it has been at home so far this season, posting an 8-4 record away from Minnesota. The Gophers went 1-1 in the AVCA Showcase, 2-1 in the UNI Tourney, 2-0 in the Marquette Tournament and now 3-2 on the road against Big Ten opponents. The Gophers have posted three-straight road wins against Michigan, Michigan State and Wisconsin. In the nine weeks so far this season, Minnesota has been on the road six times.
