University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
4-4,0-0Big Ten
Creighton
9-2,0-0Big East
Gophers Fall 3-2 to No. 14 Creighton
9/16/2023 7:39:00 PM | Volleyball
Lydia Grote led the 'U' with 20 kills
MINNEAPOLIS --The No. 9 Minnesota volleyball team fell in five sets (15-25, 25-16, 20-25, 25-22, 9-15) to the No. 14 Creighton Bluejays Saturday in the Diet Coke Classic at Maturi Pavilion.
The non-conference loss moved Minnesota to 4-4 on the season heading into Big Ten play.
"The way we handle this moment should reflect and build upon the value that we're not going to be conditional," said head coach Keegan Cook. "We can control our responses, which is something we need to do both during the match and after the match."
The Golden Gophers were led by a double-double from Lydia Grote, who registered 20 kills and 13 digs on the day. Taylor Landfair also added nine kills to help the attack while chipping in a career-high five aces. On the defensive end, Kylie Murr pitched in with a team-best 14 digs to go with six blocks from Phoebe Awoleye.
How It Happened
SET 1 | The Golden Gophers found themselves in an early hole, dropping a tough first set 25-15. Minnesota trailed by as many as 14 points as Creighton never gave up the lead in a set that was tied up two times before the Bluejays took control.
SET 2 | Minnesota responded to pick up a 25-16 victory in the second set, evening the match at one set apiece. The Golden Gophers grabbed control of the set lead early on at 4-3 and never looked back. Minnesota led by as many as 10 points at 24-14 before finishing off the set, collecting 15 kills along the way. The Minnesota offense also got a boost from three aces in the frame.
SET 3 | Minnesota fell in set three, putting the Golden Gophers in a 2-1 hole. In spite of impressive serving, the Golden Gophers fell in the set by the score of 25-20. Minnesota notched five aces in the set loss.
SET 4 | The Gophers answered to win set four 25-22 to force a fifth set. The Golden Gophers took the lead for good at 23-22 in a set that showcased two lead changes before the Golden Gophers took over in the second half of the stanza. Minnesota got a solid defensive performance from a front row that blocked seven Creighton attacks.
SET 5 | Minnesota was on the wrong side of a back-and-forth match, winning the second and fourth sets, but losing the first, third and fifth, which they dropped by the score of 15-9, to fall in the match. The Golden Gophers trailed by as many as eight points at 9-1 before losing the fifth set.
Game Notes
» The Gophers fell to Creighton for the first time in program history. They were 6-0 heading into the match all-time.
» The 'U' is now 1-1 in five set matches in 2023.
» Minnesota had four players in double figures in digs for the first time this season.
» Taylor Landfair had a career-high five aces in the loss.
» Lydia Grote registered a double-double with season-highs of 20 kills and 13 digs.
» Minnesota got a team-high 14 digs from Kylie Murr.
» Minnesota attackers were helped by a team-high 30 assists from Melani Shaffmaster.
Diet Coke Classic All-Tournament Team:
-Ava Martin, OH, Creighton (Tournament MVP)
-Christine Graf, OH, High Point
-Mckenna Wucherer, OH, Minnesota
-Lydia Grote, OH, Minnesota
-Kiana Schmitt, MB, Creighton
-Anne Marie Remmes, MB, Creighton
-Ellie Bolton, L, Creighton
-Kendra Wait, S, Creighton
