University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
Outside Hitter
/ Volleyball
Middle Blocker
/ Volleyball
Opposite
/ Volleyball
Photo by: Brad Rempel
McCutcheon Reflects on 2019 Final Four Season
1/20/2020 8:50:00 AM | Volleyball
The Golden Gopher volleyball program made another amazing run in the NCAA Championship this season, advancing to the third Final Four in the past five years. Battling injuries and lineup changes, the Golden Gophers still maintained a tie for second place in the Big Ten standings and a 17-3 finish. Three members were named First Team All-Big Ten (CC McGraw, Regan Pittman, Stephanie Samedy) to cap off conference action. With the post season looming and a fully healthy squad, Minnesota received the No. 7 overall seed and a chance to host First and Second Rounds. Facing near elimination against Creighton, the Golden Gophers battled back and advance to the Austin Region for the Sweet 16. As the Gophers defeated Florida in five sets and Louisville in three, Minnesota advanced to the program's sixth Final Four in program history. Alexis Hart, Pittman and Samedy garnered All-America honors for their outstanding seasons. Gophersports.com caught up with head coach Hugh McCutcheon as he shares his thoughts on this historic season.
Now that you've had a little time to reflect, what can you say about the body of work from this past season?
"It was pretty remarkable really. The composure of the team and their ability to adapt and adjust to what was needed on that day was quite incredible. As we look back, I was just really proud of the group and all they achieved and how they went about doing it. It was awesome."
The team was healthy towards the end of the season and made a great run. Talk a little bit about the postseason push and how resilient this team was during that time.
"It was a whole different thing for us at the end of the season to be healthy. I thought one of the benefits of having to grind through most of the B1G with a depleted squad was that when we got back to full strength, there was a shift in energy. At the end of the season, when it's tempting for some teams to succumb to the cumulative effects of a tough conference schedule, there was a lot of positive energy and people were feeling good about who we were and what was possible for us down the stretch.
"As challenging as all of the adversity we faced during the season was, it seemed to help us in the post-season. We started with a good match vs. Fairfield and then got into a great match with a really strong Creighton team. We had to face a few match points in that fourth set and we had to battle to win the fifth. Our ability to compete with composure in those moments was awesome. I was incredibly proud of our team. We took that experience and belief to Texas and played Florida. Another tough opponent and another tough battle. Our athletes again kept their composure being down 1-2 and tied the match up in the fourth - and then found a way to win in the fifth. It was a gritty win. In the regional final, our ability to manage ourselves and our performance was really impressive, and getting back to our third Final Four in five seasons was an incredible achievement! Lots to be proud of."
In the past, you've talked about how much you enjoyed coaching this group. What made this team so special to coach?
"I think there was a degree of selflessness and authenticity to this group that was quite unique. There really was a lot of mutual respect across all 15 athletes, regardless of who was playing. People embraced their role and figured out ways to add value to the team, regardless of what they were being asked to do. That, combined with their ability to work, learn and make change made it a great group to work with."
Some of your great seniors completed their collegiate careers. What did Alexis, Taylor, Lauren and Kylie bring to the program and what will you remember of them?
"A lot of the great team culture aspects we're speaking to were demonstrated and instilled by our senior leadership. That's a nice legacy piece, but for all of them, it's not so much about their senior year but how far they came from their freshmen year to where they ended up. I think every senior wants to feel like they finished this right – and for sure this group of seniors can hold their head high. All four of their journeys were unique, but they all had a profound positive impact on our program."
Although a team sport, you did have individuals garner All-America honors and All-Big Ten selections. What did you see in those individuals this year?
"Obviously individual recognition is great, but they're more reflective of the team's body of work. They are more 'we' awards than 'me' awards. That being said, some of our athletes had great seasons. Regan was solid in all phases of the game and was honored as a First-Team All-American. Offensively, was able to maintain her production, but she became a much better blocker. On top of that, hit a great serve in the court often, set a lot of balls in transition, was able to play some defense as well! Stephanie was a second team selection and had another solid year. Her offensive range continues to grow and her serve/block/defense got better as well. It was a little more challenging for her because for a big chunk of it she was playing three clicks instead of six. Like everyone else though, she accepted her role and did whatever she could to help the team. Alexis had a really solid career here, but I thought she played her best volleyball for us this season. It was great to see her recognized as a Third-Team All American this year. She has such good rhythm on the left pin, but she became a much better passer and left-side blocker as well. CC was First Team All-Big Ten this year and had a great season. She passed a big area of the court and played some spectacular defense for us. Her serving was impressive as well."
We're about ready to begin another year and you've got two individuals joining the program here in this month. What can you tell us about Melani Shaffmaster and Taylor Landfair and what can we look for in them joining the program now?
"Like everyone when they first get to college, there's a transition period. But, they are both very accomplished volleyball players and really good students so my guess is they will hit the ground running. We're really excited to see what they are going to do here. They both had very strong high school and club careers so for them to be here now, and get a few months under their belt before August, will be really beneficial."
Now that you've had a little time to reflect, what can you say about the body of work from this past season?
"It was pretty remarkable really. The composure of the team and their ability to adapt and adjust to what was needed on that day was quite incredible. As we look back, I was just really proud of the group and all they achieved and how they went about doing it. It was awesome."
The team was healthy towards the end of the season and made a great run. Talk a little bit about the postseason push and how resilient this team was during that time.
"It was a whole different thing for us at the end of the season to be healthy. I thought one of the benefits of having to grind through most of the B1G with a depleted squad was that when we got back to full strength, there was a shift in energy. At the end of the season, when it's tempting for some teams to succumb to the cumulative effects of a tough conference schedule, there was a lot of positive energy and people were feeling good about who we were and what was possible for us down the stretch.
"As challenging as all of the adversity we faced during the season was, it seemed to help us in the post-season. We started with a good match vs. Fairfield and then got into a great match with a really strong Creighton team. We had to face a few match points in that fourth set and we had to battle to win the fifth. Our ability to compete with composure in those moments was awesome. I was incredibly proud of our team. We took that experience and belief to Texas and played Florida. Another tough opponent and another tough battle. Our athletes again kept their composure being down 1-2 and tied the match up in the fourth - and then found a way to win in the fifth. It was a gritty win. In the regional final, our ability to manage ourselves and our performance was really impressive, and getting back to our third Final Four in five seasons was an incredible achievement! Lots to be proud of."
In the past, you've talked about how much you enjoyed coaching this group. What made this team so special to coach?
"I think there was a degree of selflessness and authenticity to this group that was quite unique. There really was a lot of mutual respect across all 15 athletes, regardless of who was playing. People embraced their role and figured out ways to add value to the team, regardless of what they were being asked to do. That, combined with their ability to work, learn and make change made it a great group to work with."
Some of your great seniors completed their collegiate careers. What did Alexis, Taylor, Lauren and Kylie bring to the program and what will you remember of them?
"A lot of the great team culture aspects we're speaking to were demonstrated and instilled by our senior leadership. That's a nice legacy piece, but for all of them, it's not so much about their senior year but how far they came from their freshmen year to where they ended up. I think every senior wants to feel like they finished this right – and for sure this group of seniors can hold their head high. All four of their journeys were unique, but they all had a profound positive impact on our program."
Although a team sport, you did have individuals garner All-America honors and All-Big Ten selections. What did you see in those individuals this year?
"Obviously individual recognition is great, but they're more reflective of the team's body of work. They are more 'we' awards than 'me' awards. That being said, some of our athletes had great seasons. Regan was solid in all phases of the game and was honored as a First-Team All-American. Offensively, was able to maintain her production, but she became a much better blocker. On top of that, hit a great serve in the court often, set a lot of balls in transition, was able to play some defense as well! Stephanie was a second team selection and had another solid year. Her offensive range continues to grow and her serve/block/defense got better as well. It was a little more challenging for her because for a big chunk of it she was playing three clicks instead of six. Like everyone else though, she accepted her role and did whatever she could to help the team. Alexis had a really solid career here, but I thought she played her best volleyball for us this season. It was great to see her recognized as a Third-Team All American this year. She has such good rhythm on the left pin, but she became a much better passer and left-side blocker as well. CC was First Team All-Big Ten this year and had a great season. She passed a big area of the court and played some spectacular defense for us. Her serving was impressive as well."
We're about ready to begin another year and you've got two individuals joining the program here in this month. What can you tell us about Melani Shaffmaster and Taylor Landfair and what can we look for in them joining the program now?
"Like everyone when they first get to college, there's a transition period. But, they are both very accomplished volleyball players and really good students so my guess is they will hit the ground running. We're really excited to see what they are going to do here. They both had very strong high school and club careers so for them to be here now, and get a few months under their belt before August, will be really beneficial."
Highlights: Gophers 3, Purdue 1
Wednesday, November 26
Highlights: Gophers 3, Rutgers 0
Sunday, November 23
Highlights: Gophers 3, Maryland 0
Friday, November 21
Highlights: Gophers 3, Iowa 0
Sunday, November 16