University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
16-12,12-8Big Ten
Nebraska
28-1,19-1Big Ten
Gophers Defeated in 3-1 Battle Against No. 1 Nebraska
11/25/2023 11:10:00 PM | Volleyball
The Gophers regular season comes to a close
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota volleyball team closed its regular season Saturday night with a 3-1 defeat to the No. 1 Nebraska Cornhuskers (19-25, 18-25, 25-21, 23-25) victory at Maturi Pavilion.
The Gophers end the regular season with a 16-12 (12-8 Big Ten) record and will find out their postseason fate tomorrow night at 5 p.m. CT during the NCAA Selection Show on ESPN.
"We're sending a message that we're playing December volleyball," said head coach Keegan Cook. "If we get an opportunity to play in the NCAA Tournament, we don't want teams to feel comfortable playing us."
The Gophers were led by a double-double from Taylor Landfair, who registered 14 kills and 10 digs while Mckenna Wucherer added 16 kills to help the attack. On the defensive end, Kylie Murr had 21 digs while Phoebe Awoleye totaled five blocks. Melani Shaffmaster posted another double double with 37 assists and 17 digs, her 18th of the season.
For the match, Minnesota hit .184 with 50 kills, 69 digs, 10 blocks and three aces. Nebraska hit .235 with 61 kills, 71 digs, 15 blocks and six aces.
Merritt Beason totaled 21 kills (.302), nine digs and five blocks to pace the Huskers (28-1, 19-1 Big Ten).
How It Happened
SET 1 | The Gophers fell behind early, dropping a tough first set 25-19. Minnesota trailed by as many as six points as Nebraska grabbed the advantage for good at 2-1 in a set that was tied up four times before the Cornhuskers took control.
SET 2 | Minnesota fell in set two 25-18, digging a 2-0 hole in the match. The Gophers lost the first point and fought from behind the rest of the way before dropping the set.
SET 3 | After losing the first two sets, Minnesota fought back to win set three and make it a 2-1 match. The Golden Gophers took the set 25-21 powered by a solid performance on the attacking side. Minnesota registered a .323 attack percentage with 14 kills in the set win. The 'U' rallied from down five at 15-10 to grab the win. Minnesota's front row had a solid defensive performance, blocking four Nebraska attacks in the frame.
SET 4 | Minnesota couldn't keep the rally going and fell in set four 25-23 to drop the match. Nebraska grabbed the advantage for good at 11-10 and Minnesota wasn't able to recover in a set that was tied up seven times before the Cornhuskers took over the lead. Minnesota trailed 24-21 and had a chance to tie after cutting the lead to 24-23. The Huskers cemented the victory with a block to win 25-23.
Game Notes
» Minnesota had won three of the last five and three of four at home against Nebraska before tonight.
» The loss snapped a four-match win streak. Minnesota finished the season winning six of its eight games in November and 11 of its last 15 overall.
» Melani Shaffmaster tallied her 18th double double of the season, a Big Ten-best.
» Taylor Landfair registered a double-double with 14 kills and 10 digs. It was her ninth double double of the season.
» Mckenna Wucherer had a team-high 16 kills for Minnesota for her 21st 10+ kill match of the year.
» Minnesota got a match-high 21 digs from Kylie Murr. It was Murr's 28th 10+ dig match of the year and fifth with 20+.
» Minnesota attackers were helped by a team-high 37 assists from Melani Shaffmaster, her 17th 30+ assist match of the season.
Up Next
Minnesota (16-12, 12-8 Big Ten) finds out where it'll open the 2023 NCAA Tournament tomorrow night. The first and second rounds take place at host sites from Nov. 30-Dec. 2.
