Volleyball Looks Towards Big Home Opening Weekend

Last weekend, The Gopher Volleyball team followed up their strong performance at NACWAA with an easy sweep through Wyoming, beating UTSA, Idaho State and Wyoming a combined 9 games to zero. While all three matches went to plan, there were a few milestones of note. Paula Gentil broke the Minnesota career digs record when she dug up her 1,232nd ball for the Maroon and Gold. Erin Martin was named the MVP of the Wyoming Tournament, her first-ever tournament MVP honor. Additionally, Jessica Byrnes and Meredith Nelson were both named to the all-tournament team, a good sign for the squad as Minnesota has been looking to upgrade the play of the middle blockers.

While the Wyoming Tournament featured the Gophers versus three highly overmatched opponents, this upcoming weekend signifies the open to the 2004 slate at the Sports Pavilion, and features three top 30 teams. On Friday, #5 Minnesota (4-1) takes on the 15th ranked Kansas State Wildcats (4-1) at 7 p.m. The Wildcats wrestled away the Big Twelve Title from perennial champion Nebraska last season and return a strong core of players, including its kill leader last season, Valeria Hejjas. KSU also brings back All-American setter Gabby Guerre, and has three other strong offensive options in Sandy Werner, Lisa Martin and Michaela Franklin. The Wildcats have a very good offense, but their defense should not be enough to shut down the Gophers attack. It should be a very exciting match-up, the crowd will be revved up after the 2003 Final Four banner is raised during the pre-game.

The second game of the weekend is the marquee match-up, as the Gophers take on last season’s national runner-up, the 4th ranked Florida Gators (4-0) at 7 p.m. at the Sports Pavilion. The Gators will probably be road weary as their tournament last weekend was moved from the friendly confines of Gainesville to Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, IL due to Hurricane Frances. While Florida lost its star from last season, Aury Cruz, the Gators return a powerful punch that will push the Gophers this weekend. Junior outside hitter Jane Collymore is one of the nation’s best hitters, and will give Gentil and the Gopher defense one of its biggest tests of the young season. Florida also features an All-American at middle blocker in Sherri Williams, the Gators may be running a 6-2 offense with veteran Lauren Moscovic and touted freshman Angie McGinnis. This match-up should be a preview of a possible late-round NCAA match, and is easily the game of the week in college volleyball.

The third match for the Gophers this weekend comes against a familiar non-conference rival. Over the past three years, Minnesota and Northern Iowa have squared off in several highly competitive matches before big crowds from both schools. While the Panthers (3-1) are no longer ranked, and lost several of their stars from the past few years, they are still a formidable opponent who are coming into the match from an arch-rival’s standpoint similar to Iowa or Wisconsin in the major sports. UNI is led by junior hitter Rachel Tink, who has been averaged 5 kills per game. This match-up provides a fitting conclusion to what should be a fantastic weekend.

Minnesota plays Kansas State, Friday at 7 p.m.; Florida, Saturday at 7 p.m.; and Northern Iowa, Sunday at 1 p.m.; all three matches take place at the Sports Pavilion. There have been fliers circulating to get free tickets, otherwise, in honor of the Final Four celebration, tickets for each match have been lowered to $4.

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