University of Minnesota Athletics
Friday, September 19
Chicago, IL
6:00 PM
University of Minnesota
at
Loyola Chicago
Players Mentioned
Outside
/ Volleyball
Libero/DS
/ Volleyball
Outside
/ Volleyball
Middle Blocker
/ Volleyball
Libero/DS
/ Volleyball
Setter
/ Volleyball
Outside
/ Volleyball
Photo by: Claudia Staut
No. 12 'U' Closes Out Non-Conference at Loyola Chicago, Marquette
9/18/2025 8:41:00 PM | Volleyball
They play Friday and Sunday at LC and MU, respectively
MINNEAPOLIS -- The No. 12 Minnesota Golden Gophers (8-1, 0-0 B1G) will close out non-conference play this weekend with matches at Loyola Chicago (3-6, 0-0 A10) and Marquette (5-3, 0-0 BIG EAST). Friday's match will be at 6 p.m. on ESPN+ while Sunday's is set for 5 p.m. on FS1. The Gophers have never played at Loyola Chicago and are playing at Marquette for the second time ever.
GAME 1 INFORMATION
No. 12 Minnesota at Loyola Chicago
Friday, Sept. 19
6 p.m. CT
Chicago, Ill.
Gentile Arena
TV: ESPN+
Commentators: Scott Sudikoff (play-by-play) and Stephanie Zobac (analyst)
Live Stats
GAME 2 INFORMATION
No. 12 Minnesota at Marquette
Sunday, Sept. 21
5 p.m. CT
Milwaukee, Wis.
Al McGuire Center
TV: FS1
Commentators: Michelle McMahon (play-by-play) and Anna Connelly (analyst)
Live Stats
NOTES TO KNOW
Minnesota is 2-0 vs. Loyola Chicago and 8-0 vs. Marquette
First Meeting: 1984 (Loyola Chicago), 1979 (Marquette)
Last Meeting: 1992 (Loyola Chicago), 2015 (Marquette)
HEADING INTO THE MATCH
37 -- The Gophers are 37th in the country this year with 87.0 total blocks. That places them fifth in the B1G.
27 -- Julia Hanson had 27 10+ kill matches in 2024 (87%). She's eight for nine so far this season (.875).
23 -- Stella Swenson comes in at No. 23 nationally and sixth in the Big Ten with 10.32 assists per set.
16 -- Times last season Minnesota posted 10+ blocks as a team. They've had 10+ blocks in four of their last five matches, including a season-best 17.5 Sunday vs. SDSU.
15 -- The Gophers come in at 15th nationally and sixth in the Big Ten with a .300 hitting percentage thus far.
16 -- The 'U' ranks 16th nationally and fifth in the Big Ten with 2.81 blocks per set.
12 -- Minnesota moved up one spot in the AVCA Rankings to No. 12 this week. They started the season ranked 11th.
10 -- Last year was Minnesota's 10th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. They've made 25 of the last 26 (missed 2014). They've made three Final Fours, four Sweet 16s and an Elite Eight since 2015.
8 -- Minnesota ranks 8th nationally in attendance at 4,310 (avg.)
14 -- The Gophers rank 14th nationally in hitting percentage (.300). They place sixth in the Big Ten.
8 -- Minnesota has made eight Sweet 16's in the last 10 years.
6 -- Hanson's 125 total kills puts her at sixth in the Big Ten.
4 -- McKenna Garr averaged 4.44 digs per set since taking over as the starting libero. Minnesota is 5-0 in those matches.
4 -- Minnesota ranks fourth in the Big Ten and 30th nationally in total blocks with 87.0.
4 -- Gophers head coach Keegan Cook is 4-21 against AVCA Top-25 ranked opponents in two seasons.
4 -- Stella Swenson ranks 21st nationally and fourth in the Big Ten with 10.48 assists per set.
3 -- Julia Hanson took home her third career Big Ten Player of the Week award last Monday. She was named the Golden Gopher Invitational Tournament MVP an to the all-tournament team.
2 -- The Gophers were 2-11 against ranked opponents in 2023 and 2-9 in 2024. The 2024 wins were over No. 1 Texas and No. 7 Wisconsin. Losses came against No. 2 Nebraska, No. 3 Penn State, No. 5 Stanford, No. 6 Wisconsin, No. 10 Purdue, No. 11 Kentucky, No. 12 Oregon, No. 21 USC and No. 23 Baylor.
2 -- The Gophers rank 4th in the Big Ten in hitting percentage at .300 for the 2025 season.
2 -- Hanson ranks in the top five among all Big Ten pins with a .341 hitting percentage.
1 -- Redshirt sophomore outside Alex Acevedo won her first all-tournament award this past weekend at the Diet Coke Classic. She smashed 3.40 kills per set in three wins for the Gophers, being named MVP.
1 -- Hanson was named as one of the 30 players to the AVCA Preseason Player of the Year Watch List.
1 -- Stella Swenson earned her first career Big Ten Weekly award when she earned Big Ten Setter of the Week on Sept. 1. She averaged over 11 assists and nearly three digs per set, helping Minnesota's offense hit over .350 for the weekend
LAST TIME OUT
• The then No. 13 Minnesota volleyball team went 3-0 this past weekend at the Diet Coke Classic. The Gophers swept South Florida and Dayton before taking down South Dakota State in four sets. Minnesota has won eight straight matches since falling to then No. 9 Texas A&M in the season opener.
• Alex Acevedo averaged 3.40 kills per set to lead the team on her way to MVP of the Diet Coke Classic. Joining her on the all-tournament team were middle Lourdes Myers and setter Stella Swenson.
SCOUTING LOYOLA CHICAGO
• Led by head coach Amanda Beverly, the Ramblers enter the weekend with a 3-6 (0-0 A10) record. LC has beaten Drake, Illinois State and Stephen F. Austin. They've been defeated by Butler, Iowa, Indiana, Bowling Green, Wright State and Western Kentucky. They'll close out non-conference play this weekend vs. Minnesota, UIC and DePaul.
• Loyola finished last year with a 22-12 overall record and 13-5 conference record, winning the conference title. Loyola's momentum carried into the NCAA Tournament where the Ramblers upset No. 24 BYU (3-0) in the opening round for the program's first ever NCAA Tournament win.
• Prior to the season, Loyola was picked to finish third in the Atlantic 10 behind only Dayton and VCU. They're led by Leyna Nguyen and Kaitlyn Burke, who each tally 2.89 kills per set.
SCOUTING MARQUETTE
• Marquette is led by first-year head coach Tom Mendoza. The Golden Eagles enter the weekend with a 5-3 record. They've defeated Hawai'i, Utah State, Western Kentucky, James Madison and Milwaukee. They fell to San Diego, Ball State and Wisconsin. They'll close out non-conference play this weekend vs. Florida and Minnesota.
• Last year, MU went 25-9 (16-2 BIG EAST) and went to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament before falling to Penn State in a five set thriller. PSU went on to win the NCAA Tournament.
• This year, The Golden Eagles were picked to finish second in the league, behind only Creighton. Senior Hattie Bray and Junior Natalie Ring were named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team. Bray is two-time AVCA All-Region.
MINNESOTA'S HISTORY VS. LOYOLA CHICAGO AND MARQUETTE
• The 'U' is 2-0 against Loyola Chicago and 8-0 vs. Marquette all-time. They last played Loyola Chicago in 1992 and Marquette in the 2015 NCAA Tournament. Minnesota has never played at Loyola Chicago, playing only two neutral site matches. The 'U' last played at MU in 2011, their only time playing at the Al McGuire Center. The Gophers won in five sets, 25-17, 22-25, 27-29, 25-20, 15-12.
ACEVEDO ADDING TO THE MIX
• After playing primarily as a defensive specialist last year, Alex Acevedo has taken the next step as a redshirt sophomore. She added three inches to her vertical in the off-season and added power on her swing.
• So far in 2025, she is second on the team among pins in hitting percentage (.263) and kills per set (2.68). She's hit 10+ kills four times, including a career-high on Sunday afternoon.
• Acevedo is also one of the Gophers' best from the service line, totaling 0.36 aces per set and nine aces, which are both second on the team.
STREAKS TO WATCH
• Julia Hanson totaled 10+ kills in 27 of 32 matches last year, including 16 times in Big Ten play.
• Hanson tallied 10+ kills in 15 consecutive matches to end the year. She's 8-for-9 this year.
• McKenna Garr has totaled 10+ digs in six of nine matches, including five straight as starting libero.
• Lourdes Myers has multiple blocks in eight of nine matches, including six matches with four-or-more.
• Alex Acevedo has hit 10+ kills in two straight matches and four this season. She had a career-high 16 kills on Sunday afternoon vs. South Dakota State.
• Stella Swenson has hit 30+ assists in two consecutive matches and seven of nine on the year. She also has three double-doubles after tallying 36 assists with a career-best 15 digs on Sunday.
MINATEE, WUCHERER, PALABIYIK OUT FOR SEASON
• Minnesota is down three starters this season after the loss of middle blocker Calissa Minatee, outside Mckenna Wucherer and libero Zeynep Palabiyik. Minatee is out with a lower body injury and Wucherer is out with a back injury while Palabiyik tore her ACL on Aug. 31. All will medically redshirt and plan on being back for Minnesota during the 2026 season.
• Combined, the three have played in over 180 matches during their careers at the 'U.' Wucherer has been in the top three on the team in kills per set the last three years while Palabiyik has led the team in digs last year and this year. Minatee was the team's most efficient hitter in 2025, hitting .421 in nine matches.
SCHEDULE NOTES AND TIDBITS
• Minnesota will be featured on the Big Ten Network or streamed on B1G+ for every match this season besides six. The 'U' will play a pair of games on FS1, ESPN+ and one on NBC (vs. Nebraska).
• The Gophers will play 10 matches against AVCA Preseason Top-25 ranked teams. Five will be against top-10 ranked opponents (No. 8 Wisconsin twice, No. 1 Nebraska, No. 2 Penn State, No. 9 Texas A&M).
Minnesota will also play No. 15 Purdue twice, No. 18 UCLA, No. 21 USC and No. 24 Dayton.
• The 'U' is set to play 15 matches against 2024 NCAA Tournament teams from a year ago, including 10 against Sweet 16 teams and two against Final Four participants.
GOPHERS IN THE RANKINGS
• The Gophers entered the 2025 season with a No. 11 overall ranking in the Preseason AVCA poll.
• After week three, the 'U' moved up one spot from 13 to 12.
• Minnesota finished 18th in the final AVCA poll last season.
• Minnesota was ranked as high as 12 last year (Sept. 30) and as low as 19 (Sept. 9).
HANSON ON FIRE TO START SENIOR YEAR
• Minnesota senior outside Julia Hanson is off to a red-hot start in 2025. The unanimous 2024 All-Big Ten First Team selection was an AVCA All-America (HM) as well. Before Saturday, she totaled 22 straight 10+ kill matches, including seven straight to begin this year. She's hitting .341 for the year, including .510 last weekend in Nashville.
• She had a season-high 21 kills on Aug. 29 vs. Cal Poly. She's got three 15+ kill matches thus far in 2025.
GARR EMERGING AS A ROOKIE
• Minnesota freshman libero McKenna Garr is having a strong start to her college career. Since taking over for Zeynep Palabiyik at libero, the Gophers are 5-0 and Garr has registered 4.14 digs per set. She's had 10+ digs in six of her nine matches, including five straight with double digits.
UP NEXT
Minnesota hosts Michigan State (7-0, 0-0 B1G) for the Big Ten opener on Thursday, Sept. 25 at 7:30 p.m. CT on BTN.
GAME 1 INFORMATION
No. 12 Minnesota at Loyola Chicago
Friday, Sept. 19
6 p.m. CT
Chicago, Ill.
Gentile Arena
TV: ESPN+
Commentators: Scott Sudikoff (play-by-play) and Stephanie Zobac (analyst)
Live Stats
GAME 2 INFORMATION
No. 12 Minnesota at Marquette
Sunday, Sept. 21
5 p.m. CT
Milwaukee, Wis.
Al McGuire Center
TV: FS1
Commentators: Michelle McMahon (play-by-play) and Anna Connelly (analyst)
Live Stats
NOTES TO KNOW
Minnesota is 2-0 vs. Loyola Chicago and 8-0 vs. Marquette
First Meeting: 1984 (Loyola Chicago), 1979 (Marquette)
Last Meeting: 1992 (Loyola Chicago), 2015 (Marquette)
HEADING INTO THE MATCH
37 -- The Gophers are 37th in the country this year with 87.0 total blocks. That places them fifth in the B1G.
27 -- Julia Hanson had 27 10+ kill matches in 2024 (87%). She's eight for nine so far this season (.875).
23 -- Stella Swenson comes in at No. 23 nationally and sixth in the Big Ten with 10.32 assists per set.
16 -- Times last season Minnesota posted 10+ blocks as a team. They've had 10+ blocks in four of their last five matches, including a season-best 17.5 Sunday vs. SDSU.
15 -- The Gophers come in at 15th nationally and sixth in the Big Ten with a .300 hitting percentage thus far.
16 -- The 'U' ranks 16th nationally and fifth in the Big Ten with 2.81 blocks per set.
12 -- Minnesota moved up one spot in the AVCA Rankings to No. 12 this week. They started the season ranked 11th.
10 -- Last year was Minnesota's 10th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. They've made 25 of the last 26 (missed 2014). They've made three Final Fours, four Sweet 16s and an Elite Eight since 2015.
8 -- Minnesota ranks 8th nationally in attendance at 4,310 (avg.)
14 -- The Gophers rank 14th nationally in hitting percentage (.300). They place sixth in the Big Ten.
8 -- Minnesota has made eight Sweet 16's in the last 10 years.
6 -- Hanson's 125 total kills puts her at sixth in the Big Ten.
4 -- McKenna Garr averaged 4.44 digs per set since taking over as the starting libero. Minnesota is 5-0 in those matches.
4 -- Minnesota ranks fourth in the Big Ten and 30th nationally in total blocks with 87.0.
4 -- Gophers head coach Keegan Cook is 4-21 against AVCA Top-25 ranked opponents in two seasons.
4 -- Stella Swenson ranks 21st nationally and fourth in the Big Ten with 10.48 assists per set.
3 -- Julia Hanson took home her third career Big Ten Player of the Week award last Monday. She was named the Golden Gopher Invitational Tournament MVP an to the all-tournament team.
2 -- The Gophers were 2-11 against ranked opponents in 2023 and 2-9 in 2024. The 2024 wins were over No. 1 Texas and No. 7 Wisconsin. Losses came against No. 2 Nebraska, No. 3 Penn State, No. 5 Stanford, No. 6 Wisconsin, No. 10 Purdue, No. 11 Kentucky, No. 12 Oregon, No. 21 USC and No. 23 Baylor.
2 -- The Gophers rank 4th in the Big Ten in hitting percentage at .300 for the 2025 season.
2 -- Hanson ranks in the top five among all Big Ten pins with a .341 hitting percentage.
1 -- Redshirt sophomore outside Alex Acevedo won her first all-tournament award this past weekend at the Diet Coke Classic. She smashed 3.40 kills per set in three wins for the Gophers, being named MVP.
1 -- Hanson was named as one of the 30 players to the AVCA Preseason Player of the Year Watch List.
1 -- Stella Swenson earned her first career Big Ten Weekly award when she earned Big Ten Setter of the Week on Sept. 1. She averaged over 11 assists and nearly three digs per set, helping Minnesota's offense hit over .350 for the weekend
LAST TIME OUT
• The then No. 13 Minnesota volleyball team went 3-0 this past weekend at the Diet Coke Classic. The Gophers swept South Florida and Dayton before taking down South Dakota State in four sets. Minnesota has won eight straight matches since falling to then No. 9 Texas A&M in the season opener.
• Alex Acevedo averaged 3.40 kills per set to lead the team on her way to MVP of the Diet Coke Classic. Joining her on the all-tournament team were middle Lourdes Myers and setter Stella Swenson.
SCOUTING LOYOLA CHICAGO
• Led by head coach Amanda Beverly, the Ramblers enter the weekend with a 3-6 (0-0 A10) record. LC has beaten Drake, Illinois State and Stephen F. Austin. They've been defeated by Butler, Iowa, Indiana, Bowling Green, Wright State and Western Kentucky. They'll close out non-conference play this weekend vs. Minnesota, UIC and DePaul.
• Loyola finished last year with a 22-12 overall record and 13-5 conference record, winning the conference title. Loyola's momentum carried into the NCAA Tournament where the Ramblers upset No. 24 BYU (3-0) in the opening round for the program's first ever NCAA Tournament win.
• Prior to the season, Loyola was picked to finish third in the Atlantic 10 behind only Dayton and VCU. They're led by Leyna Nguyen and Kaitlyn Burke, who each tally 2.89 kills per set.
SCOUTING MARQUETTE
• Marquette is led by first-year head coach Tom Mendoza. The Golden Eagles enter the weekend with a 5-3 record. They've defeated Hawai'i, Utah State, Western Kentucky, James Madison and Milwaukee. They fell to San Diego, Ball State and Wisconsin. They'll close out non-conference play this weekend vs. Florida and Minnesota.
• Last year, MU went 25-9 (16-2 BIG EAST) and went to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament before falling to Penn State in a five set thriller. PSU went on to win the NCAA Tournament.
• This year, The Golden Eagles were picked to finish second in the league, behind only Creighton. Senior Hattie Bray and Junior Natalie Ring were named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team. Bray is two-time AVCA All-Region.
MINNESOTA'S HISTORY VS. LOYOLA CHICAGO AND MARQUETTE
• The 'U' is 2-0 against Loyola Chicago and 8-0 vs. Marquette all-time. They last played Loyola Chicago in 1992 and Marquette in the 2015 NCAA Tournament. Minnesota has never played at Loyola Chicago, playing only two neutral site matches. The 'U' last played at MU in 2011, their only time playing at the Al McGuire Center. The Gophers won in five sets, 25-17, 22-25, 27-29, 25-20, 15-12.
ACEVEDO ADDING TO THE MIX
• After playing primarily as a defensive specialist last year, Alex Acevedo has taken the next step as a redshirt sophomore. She added three inches to her vertical in the off-season and added power on her swing.
• So far in 2025, she is second on the team among pins in hitting percentage (.263) and kills per set (2.68). She's hit 10+ kills four times, including a career-high on Sunday afternoon.
• Acevedo is also one of the Gophers' best from the service line, totaling 0.36 aces per set and nine aces, which are both second on the team.
STREAKS TO WATCH
• Julia Hanson totaled 10+ kills in 27 of 32 matches last year, including 16 times in Big Ten play.
• Hanson tallied 10+ kills in 15 consecutive matches to end the year. She's 8-for-9 this year.
• McKenna Garr has totaled 10+ digs in six of nine matches, including five straight as starting libero.
• Lourdes Myers has multiple blocks in eight of nine matches, including six matches with four-or-more.
• Alex Acevedo has hit 10+ kills in two straight matches and four this season. She had a career-high 16 kills on Sunday afternoon vs. South Dakota State.
• Stella Swenson has hit 30+ assists in two consecutive matches and seven of nine on the year. She also has three double-doubles after tallying 36 assists with a career-best 15 digs on Sunday.
MINATEE, WUCHERER, PALABIYIK OUT FOR SEASON
• Minnesota is down three starters this season after the loss of middle blocker Calissa Minatee, outside Mckenna Wucherer and libero Zeynep Palabiyik. Minatee is out with a lower body injury and Wucherer is out with a back injury while Palabiyik tore her ACL on Aug. 31. All will medically redshirt and plan on being back for Minnesota during the 2026 season.
• Combined, the three have played in over 180 matches during their careers at the 'U.' Wucherer has been in the top three on the team in kills per set the last three years while Palabiyik has led the team in digs last year and this year. Minatee was the team's most efficient hitter in 2025, hitting .421 in nine matches.
SCHEDULE NOTES AND TIDBITS
• Minnesota will be featured on the Big Ten Network or streamed on B1G+ for every match this season besides six. The 'U' will play a pair of games on FS1, ESPN+ and one on NBC (vs. Nebraska).
• The Gophers will play 10 matches against AVCA Preseason Top-25 ranked teams. Five will be against top-10 ranked opponents (No. 8 Wisconsin twice, No. 1 Nebraska, No. 2 Penn State, No. 9 Texas A&M).
Minnesota will also play No. 15 Purdue twice, No. 18 UCLA, No. 21 USC and No. 24 Dayton.
• The 'U' is set to play 15 matches against 2024 NCAA Tournament teams from a year ago, including 10 against Sweet 16 teams and two against Final Four participants.
GOPHERS IN THE RANKINGS
• The Gophers entered the 2025 season with a No. 11 overall ranking in the Preseason AVCA poll.
• After week three, the 'U' moved up one spot from 13 to 12.
• Minnesota finished 18th in the final AVCA poll last season.
• Minnesota was ranked as high as 12 last year (Sept. 30) and as low as 19 (Sept. 9).
HANSON ON FIRE TO START SENIOR YEAR
• Minnesota senior outside Julia Hanson is off to a red-hot start in 2025. The unanimous 2024 All-Big Ten First Team selection was an AVCA All-America (HM) as well. Before Saturday, she totaled 22 straight 10+ kill matches, including seven straight to begin this year. She's hitting .341 for the year, including .510 last weekend in Nashville.
• She had a season-high 21 kills on Aug. 29 vs. Cal Poly. She's got three 15+ kill matches thus far in 2025.
GARR EMERGING AS A ROOKIE
• Minnesota freshman libero McKenna Garr is having a strong start to her college career. Since taking over for Zeynep Palabiyik at libero, the Gophers are 5-0 and Garr has registered 4.14 digs per set. She's had 10+ digs in six of her nine matches, including five straight with double digits.
UP NEXT
Minnesota hosts Michigan State (7-0, 0-0 B1G) for the Big Ten opener on Thursday, Sept. 25 at 7:30 p.m. CT on BTN.
Cinematic Recap: Diet Coke Classic
Wednesday, September 17
Highlights: Gophers 3, SDSU 1
Sunday, September 14
Highlights: Gophers 3, Dayton 0
Saturday, September 13
Highlights: Gophers 3, South Florida 0
Friday, September 12