University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
8-8,4-4Big Ten
Northwestern
9-9,3-5Big Ten
Gophers Grind Out 3-2 Win Over Northwestern
10/15/2023 4:05:00 PM | Volleyball
Four players reached double figures in digs
MINNEAPOLIS -- Lydia Grote and Taylor Landfair both notched double-doubles to help lead the Minnesota volleyball team to a 3-2 victory (25-14, 16-25, 25-27, 25-22, 15-12) over the Northwestern Wildcats Sunday at home at Maturi Pavilion.
"I think what we've been working on at practice showed up tonight," said senior setter Melani Shaffmaster. "We've been working hard to clean up several areas of our game and are holding each other accountable to that. It wasn't always perfect, but it feels good to get the win."
The win moved the Gophers record to 8-8 overall and 4-4 in Big Ten action with 12 regular season games to play.
Minnesota was led by double-doubles from both Grote, who had 14 kills and 12 digs, and Landfair, who had 15 kills and 12 digs. Mckenna Wucherer also added 10 kills to help the attack. On the defensive end, Kylie Murr went for 19 digs to go with seven blocks from Phoebe Awoleye.
As a team, Minnesota hit .149 with 52 kills, 68 digs, 12 aces and 12 blocks while Northwestern hit .206 with 60 kills, 77 digs, six aces and nine blocks.
Julia Sangiacomo led the Wildcats with 24 kills and 12 digs.
How It Happened
SET 1 | The Golden Gophers took control of the set-one lead at 6-5 and never looked back to win 25-14. Minnesota opened up its biggest lead, 11 points, to finish off the set. The Gophers got a solid defensive performance from a front row that blocked four Northwestern attacks.
SET 2 | Minnesota then lost set two, 25-16, tying the match at a set apiece. Minnesota trailed by as many as 10 points as Northwestern grabbed the advantage for good at 15-14 in a set that was tied up six times before the Wildcats took over in the second half of the stanza. Minnesota led 14-10 before a 14-0 Wildcats run gave the visitors control.
SET 3 | A third-set loss put Minnesota down two sets to one. The Golden Gophers couldn't persevere past a ferocious Northwestern rally, losing 27-25 after leading by eight points at 13-5 earlier in the set.
SET 4 | Minnesota broke their two set losing streak and forced a fifth set with a 25-22 victory in set number four. The Golden Gophers took the lead for good at 14-13 in a set that showcased two lead changes before the Golden Gophers took over in the second half of the frame.
SET 5 | Minnesota clawed back from a 2-1 set deficit to win two straight sets, culminating in a 15-12 fifth-set victory, and grab the 3-2 win. The Golden Gophers took a 1-0 lead and never looked back in the fifth set to earn the victory. Minnesota opened up as much as a four point lead at 9-5 before finishing off the set. Minnesota also supplemented their offense with three aces in the deciding frame.
Game Notes
» The Gophers avenged last year's five-set loss at the Pav to Northwestern. Minnesota had won 13 straight in the series before last season.
» All-time at the Pav, Minnesota is 29-9 against the Wildcats.
» Lydia Grote and Taylor Landfair each notched double-doubles in the win.
» Grote tallied her fifth straight double digit kill match.
» Minnesota had four players in double figures in digs for the first time this season.
» Lydia Grote had a season-high five aces in the win.
» Minnesota tied a season-high with 12 aces in the win. It was their third 10+ ace match of the year.
» Taylor Landfair had a team-high 15 kills for Minnesota. It was her fourth time in the last five matches with 10+ kills.
» Minnesota got a team-high 19 digs from Kylie Murr, her 16th 10+ dig match of 2023.
» Minnesota attackers were helped by a team-high 40 assists from Melani Shaffmaster, her fourth 40+ assist match of the season.
Up Next
Minnesota hosts Rutgers on Friday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. on B1G+.
