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Gophers Volleyball Ready for Two Matches in Hawaii
3/7/2023 1:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Both games are at 11 p.m. CT/7 p.m. HT
HONOLULU, Hawai'i -- The University of Minnesota women's volleyball team is set to 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).
MATCH INFORMATION
Minnesota vs. Hawai'i
Tuesday, March 7 and Wednesday, March 8 | 11 p.m. CT/7 p.m. HT
SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center
Honolulu, Hawai'i
TV: None
Live Stats: HawaiiAthletics.com
HOW TO FOLLOW
Fans can follow along on Twitter @GopherVB for updates throughout the matches.
QUOTABLE
"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 fan bases in the sport."
SINCE THE END OF THE 2022 SEASON
• The University of Minnesota announced on Dec. 12, 2022 that Keegan Cook had been named head volleyball coach. Cook is the eighth full-time head coach and ninth individual to lead the Gophers, which first competed in 1972. He is just the third full-time head coach to lead the program since 1996, following Hugh McCutcheon (2012-22, 277-74 record) and Mike Hebert (1996-2010, 381-137 record). Laura Bush served as interim head coach in 2011.
• In his eight seasons as Washington's head coach, Cook led the Huskies to four Pac-12 Championships and eight trips to the NCAA Tournament. Washington advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight four times and the Final Four once. Cook posted an overall record of 198-56 at Washington and went 107-33 in conference play. He coached 12 different student-athletes to a combined 18 AVCA All-America honors and earned conference and region Coach of the Year laurels.
• Coach Cook brought in Kristen Kelsay (associate head coach), Eric Barber (assistant coach) and Kylin Munoz (volunteer assistant coach) to complete his coaching staff.
SPRING 2023 NOTES
• Minnesota began practicing in early January for the 2023 spring semester. Minnesota currently holds an 11-player roster this spring.
• The Gophers returned 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.
• Starting middle Arica Davis (1.23 bps) and Freshman All-Big Ten selection Mckenna Wucherer (2.73 kps) will each see increased roles in their second seasons at Minnesota in 2023.
• Two transfers will join the mix this summer as Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Kylie Murr (5th Year Libero, Ohio State) and Phoebe Awoleye (Senior Middle, Loyola Marymount) come to campus. Each is finishing out the spring semester at their previous school.
• 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.
SCOUTING HAWAI'I
• Hawai'i, who has won the last three Big West titles, are led by 2022 Big West Player of the Year and Third-Team All-American middle blocker Amber Igiede, Big West Setter of the Year Kate Lang, Freshman of the Year Caylen Alexander, and first team outside hitter Riley Wagoner.
• Igiede finished the season ranked No. 5 in the NCAA with a .433 hitting percentage and also led the league in kills/set (3.79), points (523.5), point/set (4.89) and total kills (406).
• 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.
• Head coach Robyn Ah-Mow is entering her sixth season at the helm of the UH program and has a career record of 108-36 overall and a 79-9 Big West record.
SERIES HISTORY
• Minnesota is 2-7 all-time against Hawai'i, including 0-4 on the road. The Gophers hold a two-game win streak in the series, as they defeated the Rainbow Wahine in both 2015 and 2016, both Final Four seasons for the Gophers.
TICKETS
For fans interested in attending, this will be a general admission event and tickets are on sale at hawaiiathletics.com.
UP NEXT
• After the Hawai'i trip, Minnesota will host North Dakota State at Maturi Pavilion on Saturday, March 25 at 5 p.m.
MATCH INFORMATION
Minnesota vs. Hawai'i
Tuesday, March 7 and Wednesday, March 8 | 11 p.m. CT/7 p.m. HT
SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center
Honolulu, Hawai'i
TV: None
Live Stats: HawaiiAthletics.com
HOW TO FOLLOW
Fans can follow along on Twitter @GopherVB for updates throughout the matches.
QUOTABLE
"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 fan bases in the sport."
SINCE THE END OF THE 2022 SEASON
• The University of Minnesota announced on Dec. 12, 2022 that Keegan Cook had been named head volleyball coach. Cook is the eighth full-time head coach and ninth individual to lead the Gophers, which first competed in 1972. He is just the third full-time head coach to lead the program since 1996, following Hugh McCutcheon (2012-22, 277-74 record) and Mike Hebert (1996-2010, 381-137 record). Laura Bush served as interim head coach in 2011.
• In his eight seasons as Washington's head coach, Cook led the Huskies to four Pac-12 Championships and eight trips to the NCAA Tournament. Washington advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight four times and the Final Four once. Cook posted an overall record of 198-56 at Washington and went 107-33 in conference play. He coached 12 different student-athletes to a combined 18 AVCA All-America honors and earned conference and region Coach of the Year laurels.
• Coach Cook brought in Kristen Kelsay (associate head coach), Eric Barber (assistant coach) and Kylin Munoz (volunteer assistant coach) to complete his coaching staff.
SPRING 2023 NOTES
• Minnesota began practicing in early January for the 2023 spring semester. Minnesota currently holds an 11-player roster this spring.
• The Gophers returned 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.
• Starting middle Arica Davis (1.23 bps) and Freshman All-Big Ten selection Mckenna Wucherer (2.73 kps) will each see increased roles in their second seasons at Minnesota in 2023.
• Two transfers will join the mix this summer as Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Kylie Murr (5th Year Libero, Ohio State) and Phoebe Awoleye (Senior Middle, Loyola Marymount) come to campus. Each is finishing out the spring semester at their previous school.
• 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.
SCOUTING HAWAI'I
• Hawai'i, who has won the last three Big West titles, are led by 2022 Big West Player of the Year and Third-Team All-American middle blocker Amber Igiede, Big West Setter of the Year Kate Lang, Freshman of the Year Caylen Alexander, and first team outside hitter Riley Wagoner.
• Igiede finished the season ranked No. 5 in the NCAA with a .433 hitting percentage and also led the league in kills/set (3.79), points (523.5), point/set (4.89) and total kills (406).
• 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.
• Head coach Robyn Ah-Mow is entering her sixth season at the helm of the UH program and has a career record of 108-36 overall and a 79-9 Big West record.
SERIES HISTORY
• Minnesota is 2-7 all-time against Hawai'i, including 0-4 on the road. The Gophers hold a two-game win streak in the series, as they defeated the Rainbow Wahine in both 2015 and 2016, both Final Four seasons for the Gophers.
TICKETS
For fans interested in attending, this will be a general admission event and tickets are on sale at hawaiiathletics.com.
UP NEXT
• After the Hawai'i trip, Minnesota will host North Dakota State at Maturi Pavilion on Saturday, March 25 at 5 p.m.
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