University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
4-3,0-0Big Ten
High Point
6-4,0-0Big South
Golden Gophers Start Slow, Finish Strong in 3-1 Defeat of High Point
9/14/2023 9:21:00 PM | Volleyball
The Gophers posted a season-high 12 service aces
MINNEAPOLIS --The No. 9 ranked Minnesota volleyball team fought back after losing the first set to secure a 3-1 victory (22-25, 25-11, 25-20, 25-17) over the High Point Panthers Thursday at home at Maturi Pavilion.
"I just wanted to see our response [after the first set] - things happen in matches and I thought they served the ball well," said head coach Keegan Cook. "Looking at the way we were playing defense, I thought that the game was going to turn and we didn't need to try and do too much. I was glad to see the team respond."
The Golden Gophers attack was paced by Mckenna Wucherer, who finished with 15 kills, and by Lydia Grote, who had 13 while hitting .550 with a season-high four aces. Defensively, Minnesota had two players reach double figures in digs as Melani Shaffmaster and Kylie Murr had 17. From the front row, Phoebe Awoleye contributed eight blocks.
Christine Graf led the Panthers with 12 kills and three digs.
How It Happened
SET 1 | The Golden Gophers rallied from a seven-point 23-16 hole, but High Point held on to win the first set 25-22.
SET 2 | Minnesota responded to pick up a 25-11 victory in set two, evening the match at one set apiece. The Golden Gophers earned the set victory with the help of a strong showing on the attacking end. Minnesota registered a .385 attack percentage with 10 kills in the set win. The Golden Gophers ended on a strong note, stretching their lead to its largest point in the set to finish out the stanza. The Minnesota offense also got a boost from seven aces in the set. Minnesota's front row had a solid defensive performance, blocking four High Point attacks.
SET 3 | Minnesota won again in the third set to take a 2-1 match lead. The Golden Gophers took a 1-0 lead and never looked back in the set to earn a 25-20 victory. Minnesota opened up as much as a six point lead at 9-3 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 High Point attacks in the frame.
SET 4 | Minnesota claimed a match win with a 25-17 fourth-set victory, winning their third straight set. The Golden Gophers took a 1-0 lead and never looked back in the set to secure the victory. Minnesota opened up as much as a 12 point lead at 18-6 before finishing it off.
Game Notes
» Lydia Grote had a team and career-high four aces in the win.
» As a team, the Gophers tallied a season-best 12 aces, their most aces in a match since Nov. 29, 2019.
» Phoebe Awoleye had a match-high eight blocks. It was her fifth time this season posting five-or-more blocks.
» Minnesota served up seven aces in the second set alone.
» Mckenna Wucherer had a match-high 15 kills for Minnesota, her sixth double digit kill match of the year.
» Minnesota got a match-high 17 digs from Melani Shaffmaster, one off from her season-high of 18.
» Minnesota attackers were helped by a match-high 34 assists from Melani Shaffmaster.
