University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
1-2,0-0Big Ten
Baylor
5-0,0-0Big 12
No. 18 Gophers Fall in Five Set Thriller at No. 23 Baylor
9/6/2024 10:06:00 PM | Volleyball
Minnesota had match point at 14-13 but Baylor scored the final three points
WACO, Texas --The No. 18 Minnesota volleyball team fell to the No. 23 Baylor Bears in five sets (25-23, 16-25, 21-25, 25-17, 14-16) Friday night on the road at Ferrell Center.
The Gophers (1-2, 0-0 Big Ten) trailed 10-4 in the fifth set but a ferocious 10-3 rally put the visitors up 14-13 in the final frame. Baylor scored the final three points to put the match away and stay unbeaten (5-0, 0-0 Big 12).
Minnesota was led by a double-double from Julia Hanson, who registered 16 kills and a career-high 19 digs on the night. Lydia Grote also added 15 kills to help the attack. On the defensive end, Zeynep Palabiyik tallied a career-best 29 digs to go with four blocks from Calissa Minatee, who also went for a career-high 11 kills.
Baylor was led by Elise McGhee, who went for 18 kills and nine digs. Allie Sczech had 16 kills while libero Lauren Briseno totaled 31 digs.
How It Happened
SET 1 | The Golden Gophers opened up an early one set to none lead, taking a close first set 25-23. Minnesota grabbed the advantage for good at 23-22 in a set that showcased four lead changes before the Golden Gophers took over in the second half of the frame. Minnesota also supplemented their offense with four aces in the opening set.
SET 2 | Minnesota lost the second set 25-16 to tie the match 1-1. The Golden Gophers fell behind on the first point and never clawed back into the lead before dropping the set. Baylor took an 8-1 lead and never looked back.
SET 3 | Minnesota fell again in the third set to make it a 2-1 deficit. The Gophers came up short by the score of 25-21. Baylor grabbed the advantage for good at 21-20 in a set that was tied up six times before the Bears took over in the final portion of the frame. Minnesota tied it up at 20 after a kill from Minatee, but BU scored four of the final five points to take the win.
SET 4 | Minnesota broke their two set losing streak and forced a fifth set with a 25-17 victory in set number four. The Gophers led from the opening point on in the set to secure the victory. Minnesota opened up as much as an eight point lead at 23-15 before finishing off the stanza. Minnesota also supplemented their offense with four aces in the set. Minnesota got a solid defensive performance from a front row that blocked four Baylor attacks.
SET 5 | The 'U' fell in a wild fifth set, 16-14. Baylor took an early 5-2 lead and extended it to 10-4 before Minnesota made its run. A 4-0 run paced by two kills from Hanson made it 10-8 before the Bears finally answered. BU went up 13-11 before kills from Grote and Hanson paired with an attacking error from BU gave the Gophers a late 14-13 lead. Minnesota was unable to close it out as the Bears tallied the final three points to win it.
Game Notes
» The Gophers now lead the all-time series vs. Baylor, 5-2. It was BU's first win in the series since the 2021 season-opener.
» Minnesota had four players in double figures in kills for the first time this season.
» Julia Hanson tallied a career-best 19 digs paired with 16 kills, her third 10+ kill match of the year. It was her second straight double-double.
» Melani Shaffmaster tied a career-high with four aces in the loss. She had 43 assists with a career-best 27 digs.
» Zeynep Palabiyik posted a career-best 29 digs.
» Alex Acevedo made her collegiate debut with 10 kills, seven digs and an ace.
» Calissa Minatee posted a career-high 11 kills with four blocks.
» Lydia Grote posted a season-high 15 kills.
Up Next
No. 18 Minnesota plays TCU tomorrow at 4 p.m. CT on ESPN+ to complete the Big Ten/Big 12 Challenge.
