University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
5-3,0-0Big Ten
Green Bay
3-7,0-0Horizon
No. 17 Gophers Start Weekend with Sweep at Green Bay
9/19/2024 8:46:00 PM | Volleyball
Zeynep Palabiyik tallied 20 digs in three sets
GREEN BAY, Wis. --The No. 17 Minnesota volleyball team totaled 12 blocks on the way to a three-set win (25-16, 25-21, 25-20) against the Green Bay Phoenix Thursday night to kick off the three-day Capital Credit Union Classic.
After going five sets in each of their first four matches, the Gophers (5-3, 0-0 Big Ten) have swept their last four opponents. Tonight was the first time in program history that Minnesota played a true road game at Green Bay, who they are 3-0 all-time against. The Gophers held the Phoenix to .000 hitting on the night for their lowest hitting percentage allowed this season.
Julia Hanson finished with 11 kills on the evening to lead the Golden Gophers attack while Phoebe Awoleye notched a season-high seven kills on a blistering .667. Defensively,, Zeynep Palabiyik's 20 digs paced the back end while Kate Thibault and Melani Shaffmaster tallied 10 each. Shaffmaster also had 30 assists and two blocks. Calissa Minatee added a team-high five blocks to go along with five kills.
Katie Schulz led Green Bay (3-7, 0-0 Horizon League) with eight kills while Abby Gardner went for 14 digs.
How It Happened
SET 1 | The Gophers took control on the first point and never trailed to win the first set 25-16. Minnesota led by as many as nine points at 16-7 before finishing off the set, totaling 16 kills in the process. got a solid defensive performance from a front row that blocked five Green Bay attacks.
SET 2 | Minnesota won the second set 25-21 to quickly grab a 2-0 lead. The Gophers persevered in a back-and-forth set that featured five lead changes and 11 ties. Neither team led by more than four points along the way. Minnesota's front row had a solid defensive performance, blocking four Green Bay attacks and capitalizing on 10 attacking errors on the way to victory.
SET 3 | The 'U' then finished off the match with a victory in set number three. The Golden Gophers took the set the third set 25-20. Minnesota took the lead for good at 18-17 in a set that showcased four lead changes before the visitors took over in the second half of the stanza. Minnesota's front row had another solid defensive performance, blocking four Green Bay attacks.
Game Notes
» Minnesota held Green Bay to .000 hitting for its fifth straight match keeping opponents under .200.
» The Gophers moved to a perfect 3-0 all-time against the Phoenix.
» The Minnesota front row did a great job defensively, picking up 12 blocks in the match. It's the fifth time this season that the Gophers have tallied 10+ blocks in a match.
» Julia Hanson had a match-high 11 kills for Minnesota. It was her seventh match this season with 10+ kills.
» Minnesota got a match-high 20 digs from Zeynep Palabiyik. It was her fifth match this season with 20+ digs, but her first three-set match with 20-or-more.
» Minnesota attackers were helped by a match-high 30 assists from Melani Shaffmaster, who posted her sixth double-double in 2024 and 65th of her career. She posted 10 digs as well.
» Phoebe Awoleye posted a Minnesota-best seven kills on the night.
Up Next
Minnesota takes on North Dakota tomorrow night at 5 p.m. at the Kress Center in Green Bay. There is no stream currently scheduled for the match.
