B1G match 4: Gophers visit Northwestern 10-5-25

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Ignatius L Hoops

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nusports.com

Wildcats Fall 3-1 to Michigan State - Northwestern Athletics

Northwestern volleyball took the first set in dominant fashion, but couldn't hang on against the Michigan State Spartans (12-1, 2-1 Big Ten), falling in four...
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A battle of two teams coming off similar losses

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern volleyball took the first set in dominant fashion, but couldn't hang on against the Michigan State Spartans (12-1, 2-1 Big Ten), falling in four sets (25-15, 15-25, 20-25, 21-25) on Friday at Welsh-Ryan Arena.

The loss dropped Northwestern's record to 11-4 overall and 1-2 in Big Ten play.
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For some reason, I just don't think Garr will be back for the match tomorrow. Sounded like short term from Cook so we probably have her out another week at least.

Not many options for that Libero jersey. I am thinking maybe AA and let Hanson and Kinney OH while Crowl or Gilk at Opp, with T to DS for the latter. At least this stabilizes the back court more with her at DS.

I sure hope next season they have a FULL ROSTER of 18. This coaching staff needs to hit the portal better than they have been. Think a lot of us were hoping the magic year for Cook would be his 4th season. IF 2026 is totally injury free, could that still happen?

Also, I for one am not understanding what is going on with Wucherer. I would not count on her for a full season next year either. Surgery or not, I don't see how there is any guarantee she would be 100% for 2026.

How about a backup setter should Stella be out? Ng hasn't played much at all for four years. Unfortunately, what I have seen of Lee, she would not be able to carry this team. She really needs a very good passing team to be able to run the offense. We do have a backup setter committed for 2027 and, if I remember correctly, is on the shorter side....like 5'8" at the most. Just more Food for Thought right now.
 
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4EverAGopher said:
For some reason, I just don't think Garr will be back for the match tomorrow. Sounded like short term from Cook so we probably have her out another week at least.

Not many options for that Libero jersey. I am thinking maybe AA and let Hanson and Kinney OH while Crowl or Gilk at Opp, with T to DS for the latter. At least this stabalizes the back court more with her at DS.

I sure hope next season they have a FULL ROSTER of 18. This coaching staff needs to hit the portal better than they have been. Think a lot of us were hoping the magic year for Cook would be his 4th season. IF 2026 is totally injury free, could that still happen?

Also, I for one am not understanding what is going on with Wucherer. I would not count on her for a full season next year either. Surgery or not, I don't see how there is any guarantee she would be 100% for 2026.

How about a backup setter should Stella be out? Ng hasn't played much at all for four years. Unfortunately, what I have seen of Lee, she would not be able to carry this team. She really needs a very good passing team to be able to run the offense. We do have a backup setter committed for 2027 and, if I remember correctly, is on the shorter side....like 5'8" at the most. Just more Food for Thought right now.
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The defense will get additional help 2026 recruit Madeline Kraft at DS (more insurance).
 

Is Kraft also better at DS? It is evident without Z we don't have anyone who can fill her shoes right now. Z is growing but this was her best season start wearing the L Jersey. This program has had issues filling the Libero position since the Mike Hebert days. CC was our best and we lost two potentials to the transfer portal. Time for KCook to recruit a backup TOP Libero with experience.
 
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Gophers overcome adversity. It wasn't pretty but they got the win. Showed grit. I wish they could get healthy and be injury free the rest of the season.
 

We've all been wishing for health. Wish in one hand and take a crap in the other and see which hand fills up first. The crap hand is pretty stinking full right now.
 

Kind of hard to think of what would qualify as good fortune at this point.
 

This program needs a full roster and deep deep backups in every position. I would give anything, if we could have a Gopher Volleyball Roster like that. KCook can pride himself in not seeing transfers out. However, we did see a lot more of that happening under Hugh. Personally, I feel the latter made tough decisions and was constantly trying to make the roster as solid as possible. Again, this is just my opinion.
 



It can be an unhealthy atmosphere with too many talented players not playing. What this program needs is some luck. They have been playing shorthanded, due to concussions or leg injuries for a decade. Hugh had to deal with this all of the time, what with setters and CC, etc.

This roster was deep. And now they are still one more injury away from having to play someone out of position -- a lefty as an OH or an OH as a middle (or their setter).

Is there another top 25 program even close to this? PSU lost their setter, but no one else right?
 

Other than perhaps Nebraska I can't imagine any program that could suffer the number of injuries to key players we've suffered without a serious drop-off in the level of play. The roster was balanced at all positions. Now all the depth is gone. It's time to accept that every match is going to be a grind. The talent is there but it's young and still developing. Too much to ask a lineup with 5 freshmen to win at a high level. 2026 and 2027 look bright though.
 

If AA is lost for the season, then that’s 4 starters. What started as a very promising season has just gone off the rails with all the injuries. I don’t see many teams playing 5 freshman on the court at the same time like the gophers did vs NW.
 

The thing is, they are still a good team. The problem is, now if one person is having an off day the quality on the bench to replace them is thinner.
 

The bench is down to Lauren Crowl, Georgia Lee, Olivia Swenson, and Chloe Ng. Thats 2 setters, a hitter, and whatever Olivia is these days. I'm not going to say they're not all talented volleyball players in some ways. I will say I'd prefer not to have to rely on any of them for extended game action.
 

vonner said:
The thing is, they are still a good team. The problem is, now if one person is having an off day the quality on the bench to replace them is thinner.
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Even is Alex doesn’t need surgery, I’m pretty sure she’s lost for the season. Three MCL injuries in half a season. What are odds?
 

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