Volleyball Adds Four to Gopher Roster

Nov. 8, 2017

University of Minnesota head volleyball coach Hugh McCutcheon has announced four additions to the 2018 roster. The Golden Gophers welcome CC McGraw (Prior Lake, Minn.), Bayley McMenimen (Niceville, Fla), Rebecca Rendahl (San Marcos, Calif.) and Adanna Rollins (Carrollton, Texas) to the team. McGraw and Rollins are set to join the Gophers in January 2018, while McMenimen and Rendahl will join the Gopher program prior to the 2018 season.

McGraw, a 5-foot, 9-inch libero, plays for Prior Lake High School and Minnesota Select. McGraw was named an Under Armour First Team All-American and will compete at the 2017 Under Armour All-America match at the NCAA Volleyball Final Four. A 2017 USA Today Preseason All-American, she was also named a two-time JVA All-National Team selection. McGraw was named the Ms Baden award winner, which goes to the top volleyball senior in the state. A three-time all-state selection, McGraw is also a three-time Star Tribune All-Metro selection, including back-to-back first team honors, the only junior to do so in 2016. She was also a two-time Minnesota State High School League's All-Tournament team in 2015, 2016 and 2017 where she helped the Lakers to state runner up (2015) and consolation champions in 2016 and 2017. She finished her career as the Lakers' all-time ace leader (152) and second in career digs (1,886). With Minnesota Select, she played with the 18-1's her sophomore and junior years as her team won the USAV open championship in 2016. She went on to become an All-American, as well as an AAU 18 open All-American. The daughter of Heather McGraw and Jim Gustafson and Tim McGraw, she is a board scholar and honor roll student.

"I have dreamed of being a Golden Gopher ever since day one," McGraw said. "The first time I visited campus, I instantly fell in love with the players, coaches and atmosphere. I love the focus on team culture at Minnesota, which was a big draw for me."

"We think CC is the best libero in the 2018 class," McCutcheon said. "She is incredibly skilled and talented and we could not be happier with her decision to join our program."

McMenimen, a 5-foot, 9-inch setter, plays for Niceville High School and West Florida Waves. While with Niceville, McMenimen is a three-time all-metro player and has been her team's captain the last three years. Named the team's best offensive player, she also landed a spot on the 2017 Subway All-Star Team. McMenimen has also helped Niceville to a 19-5 record in 2017, three district championships and four regionals. In her senior year, she has over 390 assists, 56 aces and 147 digs. Playing in Germany from 2010-2012, McMenimen played U13, U14 and U16 with VC Stuttgart where her teams competed at the German Junior National Championships. With West Florida Waves, she helped her team to second place at the 2014 AAU Nationals. Playing beach, she competed in the USAV Beach Nationals and Rox Beach Nationals. The daughter of Gregory and Rachel McMenimen, she is in the top one percent of her class, an AVCA Academic All-American, class president and a member of the National Honor Society.

"I chose the University of Minnesota because of Coach McCutcheon and his staff's commitment to a program culture that nurtures success on an athletic, academic and personal level," McMenimen said. "The University of Minnesota was the perfect package for me as a student-athlete, all wrapped up in the middle of a beautiful city. I am honored to be a part of Gopher Volleyball."

"Bayley is a wonderful setter," McCutcheon said. "She can locate well and makes great offensive decisions. We're so glad that she chose to play for our program."

Rendahl, a 6-foot, 1-inch middle blocker, plays for Murrieta Valley High School and Forza1 Volleyball Club. As a senior, Rendahl averages 2.7 kills per set, is hitting .426 and has 50 blocks this season. An all-conference and all-metro athlete, Rendahl also helped Murrieta make the CIF playoffs the past four years. As a junior, she posted 234 kills in 81 sets played. Named the team's offensive player of the year in 2016, she was also on the "just missed" list of Senior Aces in 2017. With Forza1, Rendahl helped her team to sixth-place finishes at the Triple Crown Invite (Utah) and Southern California's tourney in 2017. In 2016, Rendahl's team placed third at the Girls Junior National Championship, sixth in the Reno Junior National Qualifier. Rendahl is a four-year scholar athlete and the daughter of Deborah and Jay Rendahl.

"I chose to be a Gopher because I wanted to be a part of a program that would push me to reach my highest potential, both as an athlete and as a person," Rendahl said. "As soon as I met the coaches and the team and saw how amazing the campus culture was, I knew Minnesota was where I was meant to be."

"Becca is a great middle blocker who plays with skill and speed," McCutcheon said. "Her work ethic and her ability to compete makes her a perfect fit for our program."

Rollins, a 6-foot outside hitter, plays for Hebron High School and Texas Advantage Club Team (TAV). Like McGraw, Rollins was named an Under Armour First Team All-American and will compete at the 2017 Under Armour All-America match at the NCAA Volleyball Final Four. A 2017 USA Today Preseason All-American, Rollins helped lead TAV to the 17 Open gold medal at the recent USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championships in Minneapolis. It marked the top prize for the third year in a row in that age division. Rollins was named the tournament's most valuable player. With Hebron, Rollins led the Lady Hawks to a 44-6 record in 2016 and a state championship. She was named the Texas 6A Most Valuable Player after she had 540 kills in a single season and also was the SportsDay's All-Area Hitter of the Year last season. A seven-time All-American, Rollins is the daughter of Zerick Rollins and Audra Patridge and a past Academic Achievement award recipient (Rollins photos provided by John Ousby Photography).

"I chose the University of Minnesota because it felt like home, in addition to my home in Texas," Rollins said. "I felt connected to the campus, the team, and coaching staff. I also wanted a chance to play under Hugh McCutcheon and his staff because I knew that I would grow as a player and a person, in addition to getting an amazing education. I am looking forward to the success the volleyball program has to offer and being a Gopher."

"Adanna is one of the most complete six rotation outside hitters I've ever seen," McCutcheon said. "She plays the whole game at an extremely high level and will be a great addition to our program."

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CC McGraw

Adanna Rollins

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