University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
1-3,0-0Big Ten
TCU
2-2,0-0Big 12
No. 18 Minnesota Falls in Five Sets to TCU
9/7/2024 7:04:00 PM | Volleyball
Minnesota had three chances at match point in set five
WACO, Texas -- The No. 18 Minnesota volleyball team fell for the second time in the Big Ten/Big 12 Challenge this weekend when they were defeated by the TCU Horned Frogs 3-2 (21-25, 24-26, 25-21, 25-23, 18-20) on Saturday at the Ferrell Center.
Melani Shaffmaster recorded a triple-double with 10 kills, 21 digs, and 47 assists, but the Gophers (1-3, 0-0 Big Ten) fell in five sets for the second time in as many days. Minnesota dropped the first two sets before fighting back to win three and four. The Gophers led most of the way in the fifth set, leading by as many as five at 9-4. The 'U' had three chances at match point but was unable to finish it out.
Julia Hanson added a career-best 23 kills to help the attack while Mckenna Wucherer totaled 16. On the defensive end, Zeynep Palabiyik chipped in 24 digs to go with six blocks from Phoebe Awoleye.
For TCU (2-2, 0-0 Big 12), Melani Parra tallied 30 kills, 12 digs and five blocks while Lily Nicholson totaled 56 assists and 21 digs. Jalyn Gibson had 21 kills and 23 digs.
How It Happened
SET 1 | The Golden Gophers found themselves in an early hole, losing the first set 25-21. Minnesota trailed by as many as six points as TCU never gave up the lead in a set that was tied up four times before the Horned Frogs took control.
SET 2 | Minnesota then dropped the second set 26-24 to fall behind in the match two sets to none. The Golden Gophers battled back from a seven-point 19-12 deficit, but TCU hung on to take the set.
SET 3 | Minnesota rallied back to pull within two sets to one, winning their first set of the match in the third stanza. The Golden Gophers persevered in a back-and-forth set to win 25-21 in a frame that featured seven lead changes and was tied 13 times. Neither team opened up a lead of more than four points along the way.
SET 4 | Minnesota then kept the comeback train rolling, winning the fourth set 25-23 to bring the match level at two sets apiece. The Gophers took the lead for good at 10-9 in a set that showcased three lead changes before the 'U' took over the lead. Minnesota got a solid defensive performance from a front row that blocked four TCU attacks in the stanza and capitalized on 10 TCU attacking errors.
SET 5 | Minnesota lost the first two sets, but came back to even it at 2-2 before falling 20-18 in the fifth set. The Gophers led by five points at 9-4 and had three chances at match point, but couldn't close the deal.
Game Notes
» Melani Shaffmaster put up a triple-double for Minnesota with 10 kills, 21 digs, and 47 assists. She's the first Gopher to register a triple double since Sarah Wilhite did so in 2014.
» Shaffmaster delivered a career-high 10 kills on .474 hitting.
» Mckenna Wucherer posted a season-best 16 kills with nine digs.
» Julia Hanson had a career-best 23 kills with nine digs.
» Minnesota tallied 11 blocks, their third time in four matches totaling 10+.
» Minnesota got a match-high 24 digs from Zeynep Palabiyik. She tallied 53 digs on the weekend.
» Phoebe Awoleye had a team-best six blocks.
» Kate Thibault posted a career-best 14 digs.
Up Next
Minnesota hosts St. Thomas on Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. for its home opener. The match will be streamed on B1G+.
