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Players Mentioned

9

Lydia Grote

Outside/Opposite
/ Volleyball
3

Mckenna Wucherer

Outside
/ Volleyball
Cook, Grote, Wucherer

Gophers Go Through Big Ten Media Days to Start 2024 Season

8/6/2024 3:36:00 PM | Volleyball

Minnesota Press Coference TranscriptPress Conference (Watch)BTN Studio (Watch)

Lydia Grote and Mckenna Wucherer joined head coach Keegan Cook

CHICAGO, Ill. -- The Big Ten Conference held its the third annual Big Ten Women's Volleyball Media Days on Monday and Tuesday in Chicago with all 18 teams represented. Head coach Keegan Cook was joined by redshirt senior Lydia Grote and Mckenna Wucherer for the two-day event.

"You've heard me say, people, values, volleyball, in that order," said head coach Keegan Cook. "These are my people. I'm really excited to share time with these guys. This group has put in the work this spring. I think you're going to see a new type of urgency, new type of energy, and a new type of effort, one that we can be proud of. We're a little bit of a mystery, which is how I think we like it."

Media day featured interviews with BTN in multiple capacities (BTN Courtside, At The Net, BTN Digital Studio, BTN Main Studio), SiriusXM, Just Women's Sports, On Her Turf and a live press conference. The day wrapped up with photoshoots, both in the Big Ten Studios and on the rooftop with the Chicago skyline in the background. 

Grote and Wucherer, who were attending their first media day as student-athletes, talked about the growth of the team this spring and summer.

"I think this spring has been really, really great for us and getting to know each other on the court," said Grote. "I think we've built some really great relationships."

Wucherer, a junior from Brookfield, Wis., talked about the team's new additions this year.

"I'm going to shoutout our depth," she said. "We brought in a couple transfer outside hitters and pins, and they've done a really job of just stepping in and getting to learn our offense."

Coach Cook ended the day by talking about the values of the team and how he plans on keeping them grounded during the rigors of competition.

"I think one thing I try to remind them is your good is good enough," said Cook. "You don't have to try and press for great in big moments. Volleyball is played over a lot of
points, and I think a lot of players fall into the habit of a great play, then medium play, can we just be good over long periods of time? We have enough skill and talent to
win those matches if we can stay in that lane."

The Gophers open the season on Sunday, Sept. 1 against Stanford in the inaugural College Volleyball Showcase at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wis. The match is set for 2 p.m. CT on FS1.

Single game tickets for the 2024 season can be purchased HERE.

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