University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Alums Ready for Weekend 2 of Grand Prix
7/13/2017 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
The University of Minnesota continues to be well represented on the international stage as six former Gophers are playing for their respective countries in the FIVB Grand Prix. Take a look back at weekend one of the World Grand Prix and a look ahead to weekend two.
United States
The U.S. Women's National Team, which features five former Gophers, opened the 2017 FIVB World Grand Prix preliminary round with a 3-0 record and victories over No. 1 China, No. 5 Russia and No. 8 Italy. The Americans are now 11-0 on the season, which includes going undefeated at the Pan American Cup held in June.
Competing on Team USA with Gopher connections include alums Lauren Gibbemeyer, Tori Dixon, Hannah Tapp, Paige Tapp and Sarah Wilhite. Gibbemeyer, Dixon and H Tapp all saw action in the first weekend, while P Tapp played in the Pan Am Cup.
Take a look at some of our #Gophers as they opened the #FIVBGrandPrix, 3-0! (Photos courtesy of @usavolleyball). 〽️🏐🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/nPFXejBbHp
- Minnesota Volleyball (@GopherVBall) July 10, 2017
#Gophers have 🖐 on USA's #FIVBGrandPrix roster. Read this recent update from @DaneMizutani. https://t.co/E7aiGniJ8I pic.twitter.com/AmU4uwC3p3
- Minnesota Volleyball (@GopherVBall) July 6, 2017
Team USA, one of only two undefeated countries in the 12-team World Grand Prix Group 1, travels to Macau, China, for the second weekend of the premier annual international tournament. The Americans face No. 12 Turkey (1-2) on July 14, followed by rematches against Italy (1-2) on July 15 and China (2-1) on July 16. All three matches are scheduled to be streamed live at nbcsports.com/live.
TV Schedule for July 14-16
USA vs. Turkey - NBC Sports Network on July 14 at 6 a.m. ET
USA vs. Italy - Olympic Channel (formerly Universal HD) on July 15 at 2 p.m. ET
USA vs. China - Olympic Channel (formerly Universal HD) on July 16 at Noon ET
Puerto Rico
Former Gopher standout Daly Santana continues to lead Puerto Rico as her team is competing at the World Grand Prix. The Puerto Ricans, however, fell in three matches during the first weekend to Peru, Czech Republic and Columbia, held in Chiclayo, Peru.
This weekend, the team returns to San Juan, Puerto Rico and hosts Canada (July 14), Czech Republic (July 15) and Bulgaria (July 16) at the Roberto Clemente Colisuim.
Con 14 jugadoras #LasGuerrerasDelCaribe para la segunda etapa del @FIVBGrandPrix en Puerto Rico. 🏐
🔗 https://t.co/9vs0rzfDnE pic.twitter.com/rG9EhT1FV4- Comité OlÃmpico PUR (@ComiteOlimpico) July 12, 2017
¡Separa tus boletos! 🎟
🗓 14 al 16 de julio
🏐 @FIVBGrandPrix
📍 Coliseo Roberto Clemente
🇵🇷#LasGuerrerasDelCaribe
☎️ (787) 282-7524 pic.twitter.com/Q7flq4oHnY- Comité OlÃmpico PUR (@ComiteOlimpico) July 10, 2017
Follow Santana and her team HERE.
