University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
6-8,2-4Big Ten
Rutgers
9-7,1-5Big Ten
'U' Drops to Scarlet Knights in Four
10/7/2023 8:29:00 PM | Volleyball
Mckenna Wucherer had 16 kills to lead Minnesota
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. --Â The No. 16 Minnesota volleyball team lost Saturday night in four sets as the Rutgers Scarlet Knights posted a 3-1 (20-25, 22-25, 25-16, 14-25) victory at Jersey Mike's Arena.
The loss dropped Minnesota's record to 6-8 overall and 2-4 in Big Ten play as the regular season reached its halfway point. The win for RU was their first ranked victory in program history.
The Golden Gophers offense was paced by Mckenna Wucherer, who finished with 16 kills (.293). Lydia Grote added 13 and Taylor Landfair chipped in with 12 as part of the Minnesota attack.
The Gophers got 12 digs from Kylie Murr along with seven blocks from Arica Davis to lead them defensively.
As a team, Minnesota hit .255 with 50 kills, 57 digs, nine blocks and four aces while Rutgers hit .247 with 55 kills, 66 digs, four blocks and five aces.
Alissa Kinkela paced Rutgers with 17 kills, 13 digs and two blocks.
How It Happened
SET 1 | The Golden Gophers fell behind early, losing the first set 25-20. Minnesota trailed by as many as six points as Rutgers never surrendered the lead in a set that was tied up just once before the Scarlet Knights took control.
SET 2 | Minnesota then dropped set two 25-22 to fall behind two sets to none. The Golden Gophers trailed by as many as six points as Rutgers grabbed the advantage for good at 6-5 in a set that was tied up four times before the Scarlet Knights took over the lead.
SET 3 | Minnesota rallied back to pull within two sets to one, winning their first set of the match. The Golden Gophers scored first and never trailed in the set to secure a 25-16 victory. Minnesota opened up as much as a 10 point lead at 23-13 before finishing off the set, collecting 17 kills while only committing one attack error along the way.
SET 4 | Minnesota couldn't keep the rally going and lost in set four 25-14 to drop the match. The Golden Gophers trailed by as many as 12 points as Rutgers grabbed the advantage for good at 2-1 and Minnesota wasn't able to recover in a set that was tied up just once before the Scarlet Knights took over.
Game Notes
» The loss was Minnesota's third all-time to Rutgers, but first since 1983, their second ever meeting. The Gophers are now 11-3 all-time versus RU.
» Taylor Landfair had a team-high two aces with 12 kills for her sixth double digit kill match of the year.
» Minnesota never trailed on the way to winning the third set 25-16.
» Mckenna Wucherer had a team-high 16 kills for Minnesota and reached double digits in kills for the 12th time in 2023.
» Minnesota got a team-high 12 digs from Kylie Murr, her 14th double digit dig match of the season.
» Minnesota attackers were helped by a team-high 23 assists from Melani Shaffmaster, who returned to the lineup. She missed Friday night's match with an illness.
» Arica Davis tallied seven blocks for the third time this season, her season-best.
Up Next
Minnesota (6-8, 2-4 Big Ten) goes to Michigan (3-12, 1-5 Big Ten) on Wednesday night. The game is at 7 p.m. CT on BTN.
