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Photo by: Kelly Hagenson
Minnesota Set to Open Spring Season in Hawaii
2/6/2023 2:09:00 PM | Volleyball
The Gophers will play UH twice in Hololulu
MINNEAPOLIS -- The University of Minnesota women's volleyball team will take on the University of Hawai'i for a pair of spring matches on Tuesday, March 7 and Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at the SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu, Hawai'i. First serve for both matches is slated for 7 p.m. local time (11 p.m. CT).
"I am thrilled for our athletes to have the opportunity to compete in Hawai'i this spring," said head coach Keegan Cook. "It's a tremendous opportunity for our team to compete against a perennial volleyball power in front of one of the most passionate and knowledgeable fanbases in the sport."
Minnesota began practicing in early January as the 2023 spring semester gets underway. The Gophers return seven athletes who started matches last year in the 2022 run to the NCAA Regional Semifinal. First Team All-American and Big Ten Player of the Year Taylor Landfair and First Team All-Big Ten selection Melani Shaffmaster return to pace Minnesota in year one of the Keegan Cook era in Minneapolis.
The Gophers added two freshmen spring enrollees in outside/opposite Sydney Schnichels (Willmar, Minn.) and middle blocker Calissa Minatee (Kansas City, Mo.). Each was ranked in the top-50 nationally by multiple recruiting outlets and played in the Under Armour All-American game in early January. In 2022, the 'U' finished No. 10 in the final AVCA Poll, its eighth straight top-10 finish nationally.
Hawai'i, who has won the last three Big West titles, continue to be led by 2022 BW Player of the Year and Third-Team All-American middle blocker Amber Igiede, BW Setter of the Year Kate Lang, Freshman of the Year Caylen Alexander, and first team outside hitter Riley Wagoner. The Rainbow Wahine return 12 letterwinners and one redshirt from last season. The team finished with a 22-7 overall record (19-1 Big West) while advancing to its 29th-straight and 40th overall NCAA tournament.
For fans interested in attending, this will be a general admission event and tickets will go on sale in the near future at hawaiiathletics.com.
"I am thrilled for our athletes to have the opportunity to compete in Hawai'i this spring," said head coach Keegan Cook. "It's a tremendous opportunity for our team to compete against a perennial volleyball power in front of one of the most passionate and knowledgeable fanbases in the sport."
Minnesota began practicing in early January as the 2023 spring semester gets underway. The Gophers return seven athletes who started matches last year in the 2022 run to the NCAA Regional Semifinal. First Team All-American and Big Ten Player of the Year Taylor Landfair and First Team All-Big Ten selection Melani Shaffmaster return to pace Minnesota in year one of the Keegan Cook era in Minneapolis.
The Gophers added two freshmen spring enrollees in outside/opposite Sydney Schnichels (Willmar, Minn.) and middle blocker Calissa Minatee (Kansas City, Mo.). Each was ranked in the top-50 nationally by multiple recruiting outlets and played in the Under Armour All-American game in early January. In 2022, the 'U' finished No. 10 in the final AVCA Poll, its eighth straight top-10 finish nationally.
Hawai'i, who has won the last three Big West titles, continue to be led by 2022 BW Player of the Year and Third-Team All-American middle blocker Amber Igiede, BW Setter of the Year Kate Lang, Freshman of the Year Caylen Alexander, and first team outside hitter Riley Wagoner. The Rainbow Wahine return 12 letterwinners and one redshirt from last season. The team finished with a 22-7 overall record (19-1 Big West) while advancing to its 29th-straight and 40th overall NCAA tournament.
For fans interested in attending, this will be a general admission event and tickets will go on sale in the near future at hawaiiathletics.com.
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