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'U' Adds WSU Transfer to 2026 Roster
5/8/2026 12:42:00 PM | Volleyball
She will have two years of eligibility beginning this fall
MINNEAPOLIS -- The University of Minnesota volleyball program has announced the addition of transfer middle blocker Lucie Blažková from Washington State. She will have two years to play in the Maroon and Gold, beginning this fall. She'll enroll in classes in June to train with the team.
"We are thrilled to have Lucie Blažková joining our volleyball program this summer," said head coach Keegan Cook. "From the very first call we had with her, there was immediate alignment in Lucie's athletic and academic aspirations and the opportunity we had to offer her at Minnesota. I am equally excited by her ability to contribute and compete for our team as I am for her to continue preparing herself for successful careers on and off the court."
A Ceská Trebová, Czech Republic native, Blažková redshirted at WSU in 2023 before starting in every match as a Cougar the last two seasons. Her accolades include being a 2025 AVCA Northwest All-Region selection and a 2025 All-WCC First Team honoree. She made the second team in 2024 in addition to being named to the WCC All-Freshman Team. A three-time WCC Player of the Week last year, she was named WCC Defensive Player and Freshman of the Week once each in her rookie season.
"I chose Minnesota because of the amazing program and community," Blažková said. "I want to be the best player possible and help the team to achieve the highest goals."
Last season, she started in all 28 matches. She set the WSU all-time single-season hitting percentage record with a .443 mark on 280 kills and her .443 hitting percentage finished ninth-highest in the nation and led the WCC. Blažková hit over .700 in three matches and .500+ in 11 matches. Her 1.21 blocks per set ranked 68th in the nation and second in the WCC, and her 121 total blocks was third-most in the WCC.
As a freshman in 2024, she started all 28 matches for WSU. Her 134 blocks and 1.20 blocks per set ranked third in the WCC, while her 42 solo blocks led the conference by a margin of 15, and was good four fourth-most in a season by a Cougar all-time.
She also boasts international experience, helping the Czech Republic to the Golden European League silver medal. The daughter of Kateřina and Martin Blažková, she has two older brothers, Martin and Tomáš. Both her father and brother Martin played volleyball in the Czech Republic.
Blažková joins a group of transfers in the Keegan Cook era who have all gone on to achieve professional success. Kylie Murr (Dallas Pulse), Phoebe Awoleye (Atlanta Vibe), Lydia Grote (Allianz MT Stuttgart), Lourdes Meyers (Kooperativa Slavia Euba), and Kali Engeman (Volley Lugano) all transferred in and are currently competing in the professional ranks.
Minnesota heads into the 2026 season after making the Sweet 16 for the first time since the 2022 season. The Gophers finished the year with a 24-10 (12-8 Big Ten) record, tied for sixth place in the Big Ten Conference.
The 'U' earned a final ranking of 15 from the AVCA. Led by Second Team All-American Julia Hanson, the 'U' withstood four season-ending injuries to starters and rallied for its first second weekend of the NCAA Tournament appearance under third-year head coach Keegan Cook. The team lost four seniors to graduation but no one transferred out. The team added three new freshmen this spring and now a transfer in Blažková.
"We are thrilled to have Lucie Blažková joining our volleyball program this summer," said head coach Keegan Cook. "From the very first call we had with her, there was immediate alignment in Lucie's athletic and academic aspirations and the opportunity we had to offer her at Minnesota. I am equally excited by her ability to contribute and compete for our team as I am for her to continue preparing herself for successful careers on and off the court."
A Ceská Trebová, Czech Republic native, Blažková redshirted at WSU in 2023 before starting in every match as a Cougar the last two seasons. Her accolades include being a 2025 AVCA Northwest All-Region selection and a 2025 All-WCC First Team honoree. She made the second team in 2024 in addition to being named to the WCC All-Freshman Team. A three-time WCC Player of the Week last year, she was named WCC Defensive Player and Freshman of the Week once each in her rookie season.
"I chose Minnesota because of the amazing program and community," Blažková said. "I want to be the best player possible and help the team to achieve the highest goals."
Last season, she started in all 28 matches. She set the WSU all-time single-season hitting percentage record with a .443 mark on 280 kills and her .443 hitting percentage finished ninth-highest in the nation and led the WCC. Blažková hit over .700 in three matches and .500+ in 11 matches. Her 1.21 blocks per set ranked 68th in the nation and second in the WCC, and her 121 total blocks was third-most in the WCC.
As a freshman in 2024, she started all 28 matches for WSU. Her 134 blocks and 1.20 blocks per set ranked third in the WCC, while her 42 solo blocks led the conference by a margin of 15, and was good four fourth-most in a season by a Cougar all-time.
She also boasts international experience, helping the Czech Republic to the Golden European League silver medal. The daughter of Kateřina and Martin Blažková, she has two older brothers, Martin and Tomáš. Both her father and brother Martin played volleyball in the Czech Republic.
Blažková joins a group of transfers in the Keegan Cook era who have all gone on to achieve professional success. Kylie Murr (Dallas Pulse), Phoebe Awoleye (Atlanta Vibe), Lydia Grote (Allianz MT Stuttgart), Lourdes Meyers (Kooperativa Slavia Euba), and Kali Engeman (Volley Lugano) all transferred in and are currently competing in the professional ranks.
Minnesota heads into the 2026 season after making the Sweet 16 for the first time since the 2022 season. The Gophers finished the year with a 24-10 (12-8 Big Ten) record, tied for sixth place in the Big Ten Conference.
The 'U' earned a final ranking of 15 from the AVCA. Led by Second Team All-American Julia Hanson, the 'U' withstood four season-ending injuries to starters and rallied for its first second weekend of the NCAA Tournament appearance under third-year head coach Keegan Cook. The team lost four seniors to graduation but no one transferred out. The team added three new freshmen this spring and now a transfer in Blažková.
Highlights: Spring Exhibition
Monday, April 27
2025 Season Recap
Tuesday, January 27
Best of Julia Hanson
Monday, December 22
Gophers Preview NCAA Sweet Sixteen
Tuesday, December 09