University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
15-11,11-7Big Ten
Ohio State
10-17,7-11Big Ten
Awoleye Notches 11 blocks in Sweep Over Ohio State
11/18/2023 9:08:00 PM | Volleyball
Gophers Sweep Buckeyes for Third Straight Win
MINNEAPOLISÂ --Â The Minnesota volleyball team racked up 11 blocks on the way to a 3-0 sweep (25-14, 25-9, 25-17) against the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday at Maturi Pavilion.
"Every game moving forward is important to us," said senior libero Kylie Murr. "We've just been talking about being the best versions of ourselves, and tonight we were. Look what happened. That's just kind of the message going around our locker room."
The conference victory improved Minnesota's record to 15-11 overall and 11-7 in Big Ten action heading into the final weekend of the regular season. It clinched Minnesota's ninth straight winning season in conference play as well.
Taylor Landfair finished with nine kills to lead the Gophers offense, which hit over .300 for the night. Defensively, the story of the night was Phoebe Awoleye, who totaled a career-high with 11 blocks.
Minnesota hit .310 with 35 kills, 48 digs, 11 blocks and nine aces while Ohio State hit .039 with 26 kills, 37 digs, six blocks and two aces.
Emily Londot had nine kills and eight digs to lead the Buckeyes.Â
How It Happened
SET 1 | The Golden Gophers won the first point and never looked back to win the first set 25-14. Minnesota led by 12 points at 24-12 before closing out the set.
SET 2 | Minnesota won set two 25-9 to promptly take a 2-0 lead. The Golden Gophers took a 1-0 lead and never looked back in the set to earn the victory. Minnesota opened its biggest lead of the stanza, 16 points, to finish off the set. The Golden Gophers hit .435 over the course of the set. The Minnesota offense also got a boost from three aces in the stanza. Minnesota's front row had a solid defensive performance, blocking four Ohio State attacks in the stanza and capitalizing on 11 Ohio State attacking errors on the way to victory.
SET 3 | Minnesota closed the match in a 3-0 sweep after winning the third set. The Golden Gophers scored first and never trailed in the set to secure a 25-17 victory. Minnesota opened up as much as a 10 point lead at 22-12 before finishing off the set. The Minnesota offense also got a boost from four aces in the stanza. Minnesota's front row had a solid defensive performance, blocking four Ohio State attacks in the stanza.
Game Notes
» The Gophers held an opponent to under .100 hitting for the fifth time this season (5-0) as OSU hit .039.
» Minnesota hit over .300 for the fourth time in 2023 (4-0).
» Elise McGhie had a match-high two aces in the win.
» Phoebe Awoleye had a career-high 11 blocks, topping her previous best of 10 versus Baylor on Aug. 26.
» The Minnesota front row did a great job defensively, picking up 11 blocks in the match. Minnesota is 10-3 in 2023 when totaling 10+ blocks.
» Minnesota never trailed at any point during the match tonight.
» Taylor Landfair had a team-high nine kills while Mckenna Wucherer and Lydia Grote had eight each.
» Minnesota got a match-high 22 assists and 14 digs from Melani Shaffmaster. It was her 17th double double of the year.
Up Next
Minnesota hosts Illinois (16-12, 11-7 Big Ten) and No. 1 Nebraska (26-0, 17-0 Big Ten) on Friday and Saturday next weekend to close the regular season.
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