University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Add Two to the Roster
4/18/2018 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sheehan, a 6-foot, 1-inch outside hitter, is transferring to the Gophers after spending her freshman season at the University of Iowa. Playing in 32 matches for the Hawkeyes, Sheehan had 259 kills and 21 aces. A six-rotation player, Sheehan also had 241 digs, and averaged 0.34 blocks per set. Prior to her time with the Hawkeyes, Sheehan played for Cambridge Isanti High School and Northern Lights Volleyball Club. During her high school career, Sheehan amassed 2,350 kills and ranked third all-time in Minnesota Class AAA. A four-time all-conference selection, she was both a high school and club All-American. With Northern Lights, she helped her 15's team to an AAU and USA girls junior national championship. Sheehan has three seasons of remaining collegiate eligibility.
"We're extremely excited to have Claire join our program," McCutcheon said. "She's a wonderful all around volleyball player and she absolutely knows how to compete. She's also a great student and we're glad she can be closer to her family."
"I chose the University of Minnesota because I feel it will be a great fit for me," Sheehan said. "I've always dreamed of being a Gopher, and I couldn't be more excited to play for the University of Minnesota."
Swider, a 6-foot, 1-inch middle blocker plays with her club team, KS Palac Bydgoszcz, as well as the Polish Youth and Junior national teams. Swider helped her U23 team to a gold finish at the championships of Poland in Legionowo last year. She also guided her team to a second-place finish in the junior national championships of Poland in 2016-17. Competing with Poland's junior national championship teams since 2014, Swider helped Poland finish second at the U17 Eastern European Championships and was named Best Player. In 2015, she earned a pair of eighth place finishes at both the World and European Championships with the Polish U18 squad. Set to graduate from Bydgoskich Olimpijczykow this spring, Swider received the award for the highest grade point average out of her graduating class. Swider intends to study biomedical engineering.
"Paulina is a great addition to our program," McCutcheon said. "She's an extremely accomplished student who brings a wealth of international experience to our gym."
"I chose the University of Minnesota because it creates the perfect environment to focus on improving as much as possible both on the volleyball court and academically," Swider said. "I am extremely grateful and excited for the opportunity to work with Coach McCutcheon and the entire Gopher team."