University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Ready to Host MSU, Michigan
11/15/2016 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
| #2 Minnesota vs. Michigan State | Michigan | |
| MATCH 1 | Minnesota vs. Michigan State (Friday | 7 p.m.) |
| Sports Pavilion | Minneapolis | |
| Watch Online | | Live Updates | |
| MATCH 2 | Minnesota Michigan (Sunday | (1 p.m.) |
| Sports Pavilion | Minneapolis | |
| Watch Online | | Live Updates | |
| SOCIAL MEDIA | @GopherVball | Facebook |
Weekly Notes
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE
GOPHERS SET TO HOST MSU & MICHIGAN
The Gophers face No. 13 Michigan State on Nov. 18 at 7 p.m., and No. 18 Michigan on Nov. 20 at 1 p.m. It marks the only time Minnesota faces the Wolverines this season.
FOLLOWING THE GOPHERS
Both matches this weekend will be streamed on BTN Plus. Both matches also have a game day live page on gophersports.com.
GOPHERS FACING BIG TEN'S BEST
The Gophers close out the regular season facing four ranked opponents. Minnesota is currently third in the Big Ten standings behind Nebraska (15-1) and Wisconsin (14-2), while holding a one-game lead over Michigan State, who is 12-4. Minnesota is the only team that plays the top five teams in the conference twice this season.
WEEKEND PROMOTIONS
University of Minnesota students will receive a free Gopher t-shirt, first come, first serve. Students must show a valid student UCard. On Sunday against Michigan, the Gophers will participate in their final post-match autograph session. Selected student-athletes will be made available following Sunday's match.
ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE
Michigan State enters the weekend with a 23-5 overall record and a 12-4 mark within Big Ten action. The Spartans are on a six-match win streak and have dropped just two sets in that span. Ranked 13 in the recent AVCA poll, MSU is coming off a four-set win over state rival Michigan. Autumn Bailey leads the team with 296 kills and averages 3.29 kills per set. Chole Reinig ranks second with 240 kills and 2.79 per set. Bailey, along with Abby Monson and Holly Toliver have 70 of the team's 193 aces this season as the Spartans rank second nationally in aces per set. Alyssa Garvelink averages a team-best 1.41 blocks per set.
ABOUT MICHIGAN
Michigan enters the weekend with a 21-7 overall record and are 10-6 against Big Ten opponents. The Wolverines fell in four to state rival Michigan State on Nov. 12 and scheduled to play Wisconsin Friday night in Madison, Wis. Abby Cole leads the Michigan attackers with 310 kills as she averages 3.16 per set. She's followed by Kelly Murphy and Claire Kieffer-Wright have 230 and 225 kills, respectively. MacKenzi Welsh has 1,075 assists and a team-high 25 aces. Jenna Lerg has 432 digs this year.
ALL-TIME SERIES AND LAST TIME
MSU won the previous match between the two teams in a five-set decision, Oct. 15, in East Lansing, Mich. The Gophers are 51-18 all time against the Spartans, dating back to 1976.
This is the only meeting between the two teams this season. Minnesota is 52-15 all time against Michigan, dating back to 1975. The Gophers also faced the Wolverines just once last year where they won in four, 25-23, 19-25, 26-24, 25-22 , Nov. 7, 2015.
ON A ROLL
Since Minnesota's loss to Nebraska (Oct. 23), the Gophers have gone 6-0. The Gophers have also won in 3-0 fashion, not dropping a set in the past six contests.
