Gophers Hit the Court for First Time This Fall

The Minnesota Golden Gophers Volleyball program stepped back on the floor for the first time this fall on Monday, Aug. 9 after reporting to camp on Sunday. The Gophers have officially begun preparations for their season opener on Aug. 27 in Madison, Wis., against Baylor.

On report day, the student-athletes completed a full day of meetings with various U of M staff members and coaches. After being issued some new gear and meeting the entire support staff, the Gophers finished off report day with a team dinner.

It's finally 𝙍𝙚𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝘿𝙖𝙮 🎉

Get to know your 2021-22 #Gophers!https://t.co/wgAWHK1D4q pic.twitter.com/RvVR99Bpbx
— Minnesota Volleyball (@GopherVBall) August 8, 2021

Head coach Hugh McCutcheon enters the tenth year of his tenure at Minnesota with a team hungry for success. Minnesota went 16-3 (15-2 Big Ten) in the 2020-21 spring season and entered the NCAA Tournament as the No. 3 seed nationally. The Golden Gophers defeated Georgia Tech in round one before falling to Pittsburgh in five sets in the Sweet 16. Under McCutcheon, the Gophers have made it to three NCAA Final Fours, three Sweet 16's and an Elite Eight in just nine years. He holds a 232-56 (.808) collegiate coaching record and has led Minnesota to two Big Ten Championships. McCutcheon, along with seniors Stephanie Samedy and CC McGraw, met with the media on Monday afternoon.

"We're focused on attention to detail and commitment to the process if we want to achieve the outcomes we want at the end of the season," McCutcheon said. "This group seems to be really strong in terms of their connection and commitment to doing it every play, every day. That was certainly shown in practice today and I thought it was great."

Back in action 😁 pic.twitter.com/nLUh3AzBJo
— Minnesota Volleyball (@GopherVBall) August 9, 2021

Minnesota returns six players that regularly started games in 2020-21 and 11 letterwinners overall. They also added a four-player freshmen class that ranks in the top-10 nationally and features a pair of top-50 recruits. Of the returning players, four-time AVCA All-American and reigning Big Ten Player of the Year Stephanie Samedy highlights the bunch as she takes advantage of her fifth year granted to all NCAA fall sports athletes. A four-time All-Big Ten selection, Samedy is one of just two Gophers in program history to garner four-time All-American honors along with Samantha Seliger-Swenson ('19).

"I came back [to Minnesota] for several different reasons, including that I felt there was more I can learn while continuing to develop as a player and person," Samedy said. "I plan on taking everyday as an opportunity to grow. I'm going to take as much out of every rep as I can and help my teammates continue to improve."

Senior libero/ds CC McGraw, who was named First Team All-Big Ten and AVCA All-America Honorable Mention in 2019, returns as another key piece for a Gophers team looking to take another step from last year. McGraw, who already earned her bachelor's degree 'U,' is enrolled in a two-year master's program in sport and exercise science. She also announced Monday that she will be playing two more seasons with the Gophers and will be taking advantage of the NCAA-granted COVID year in 2022. After missing the team's final eight games last year, she is looking forward to getting back to game action this season.

There's no better feeling than putting on for your hometown in front of the best fans in the country 💛 pic.twitter.com/RIgVftv7Ft
— Minnesota Volleyball (@GopherVBall) August 11, 2021

"We're really trying to take these first few practices to make sure the team knows what kind of mindset we have here with Minnesota Volleyball," McGraw said. "We're going to compete and go our hardest every play because we want to get better and set ourselves up for success. At the same time, we want to make sure we can create a space that is safe and welcoming where we don't feel like we have to always be perfect. We can make mistakes but the important thing is we learn and grow from those mistakes."

Sophomore Taylor Landfair is another key returnee for Minnesota. The nation's No. 1 recruit in the class of 2020, Landfair made the All-Big Ten First Team, AVCA All-America Honorable Mention and was named the AVCA North Region Freshman of the Year in 2020-21. Fellow sophomore Melani Shaffmaster is back after being named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team and leading Minnesota in assists from the setter position. Shakopee, Minn., native Rachel Kilkelly is a junior in 2021 and helps anchor a strong defensive unit.

News & Notes:
-Single Game tickets for the general public are set to go on sale tomorrow, Aug. 12 at 9 a.m. Central time.
-The Big Ten Network was in town filming and shooting interviews for two "At the Net" features on redshirt senior Stephanie Samedy and sophomore Melani Shaffmaster. Both are scheduled to air on BTN this fall.
-On Tuesday, the Big Ten Conference announced its volleyball television schedule for the fall. The Gophers will be featured on the Big Ten Network a record 14 times this year. Minnesota also plays three games each on ESPNU and FOX local.
-The Gophers are scheduled to host an open scrimmage at Maturi Pavilion in the afternoon on Saturday, Aug. 21. Start time is still being determined and fans will be required to wear masks.
-Former Gophers Tori Dixon ('14), Hannah Tapp ('16) and Sarah Wilhite ('16) were alternates for the USA Women's Volleyball team, which won its first-ever gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics this weekend.

It's going to be a busy month as we prepare for our fall 2021 season opener on Aug. 27 against Baylor!

Dates to know ⬇️https://t.co/FDrxmrHiX2 pic.twitter.com/bKFG7ujffu
— Minnesota Volleyball (@GopherVBall) August 8, 2021

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Players Mentioned

Rachel Kilkelly

Taylor Landfair

CC McGraw

Stephanie Samedy

Melani Shaffmaster