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Know the Gophers: Elise McGhie - University of Minnesota Athletics
Get to know senior setter Elise McGhie .
Elise McGhie
McGhie is a senior setter from Kansas City, Mo.
Elise McGhie is a senior setter from Kansas City, Mo. She transferred from Kansas in the spring of 2022 and played in 28 matches (93 sets) last fall for Minnesota. She averaged .40 digs and 0.16 aces per set as a junior.
GS: What activities and sports were you involved with as a kid?
EM: At first I was not the sporty type at all. My parents had me do tennis and swimming/diving but they were just things to keep me occupied after school. In third grade all the cool kids were playing basketball, but I wanted to be different. It's kind of funny because I didn't really think about myself as an athlete. In fourth grade is where I tried volleyball for my school team, so that's where my journey in the sport started. I still played softball and basketball as a kid but I got cut from the soccer team, which was unfortunate because a lot of my friends did that.
GS: What did your parents think about you starting to focus on volleyball as you went into middle school and high school?
EM: My dad (Andrew) thought my sister (Brynne) and I were gone too much as we were always practicing for hours a night and staying up late having to get our homework done. I think he thought we were supposed to be focusing on school and not sports so much. Then I started getting recruited to play in college and kept getting better and better, and he realized it could really take me somewhere.Elise and her family at her sister's high school graduation.GS: When did you know that volleyball was going to be something you pursued after high school?![]()
EM: I always wanted to play volleyball in college (I realized I was too short to be a basketball star). My mom played in college and other girls around me growing up did, so I thought I could totally do that. When I was a freshman in high school I would tell people I was going to play in college. Other people thought I should just focus on my studies, I was only 5'6" so it seemed far-fetched. I switched club teams in high school and I made one of the top club teams with Dynasty in Kansas City. I eventually worked my way into playing time there and started becoming a key player.
GS: What was your recruiting process like?
EM: I honestly felt really behind because as a sophomore I didn't really understand what college recruiting was because I was coming from a small club. I was sending emails to college coaches all over and just fighting for a little bit of attention. It took a lot of work to be able to get coaches to know about me and come see me. My mom played at Rockhurst (Division II) in Kansas City. I knew the coach and they offered me a spot on the team when I was a junior in high school. But I would send like 100 emails to coaches and would maybe hear back from three or four. So it was super nerve-wracking but it obviously paid off in the end.
GS: You eventually committed to Kansas in high school, how did your recruitment there go?
EM: I got in touch with them through my club recruiting coordinator and one of their assistants came and watched me. I started the process after that with them and ended up committing towards the end of my junior year of high school. It was an awesome feeling to commit to my home state school.
GS: What were your favorite memories about your experience as a Jayhawk?
EM: I loved being able to compete with my teammates and play at a really high level in Division I volleyball. I was playing with some amazing players in the Big 12 and got to set out of a 5-1. I already had 1,000 assists before I came to Minnesota so I was super grateful for the experience.
GS: You decided to enter the transfer portal after your second year at Kansas. How much different was your transfer portal recruiting process?
EM: I went into the transfer portal on Dec. 15 of 2021 and then I knew I needed to find somewhere to go within a few weeks. It felt like I needed a miracle to happen to find a good school that I liked that needed a setter. I remember [former head coach] Hugh [McCutcheon] texting me and being shocked to see his name in my phone. I was feeling so defeated before that and scared I wouldn't have anywhere to go. But seeing his name, I was so excited. We set up a phone call and just talked about everything. The team had a couple setters, but really wanted to add some depth and they said they'd love to have me. I had never been to Minnesota before, but I knew it was a legit program. It honestly seemed too good to be true.Elise with her parents, Andrew and Tricia, after the Illinois game last season.GS: What was your visit to Minnesota like?![]()
EM: I came up here on Jan. 3 and saw everything, the facilities and met the coaches. All the girls were gone besides [former All-American libero] CC [McGraw], but I still really enjoyed it. After the visit me and my mom went to The Graduate hotel and decided right there I should do this. I called Hugh and committed right there in the hotel.
GS: So you committed on Jan. 3 and then a few weeks later you were moving your whole life to the Twin Cities. What was that adjustment like?
EM: Yeah it was definitely a little tough because I really knew no one besides like over Facetime calls. For a little bit, that was scary to leave my family and friends in Kansas. It took a few months for me to hit my groove - with practice, academics and of course socially. But once I did I was just so happy and it's been such a good experience. I love Minnesota and getting to play in the Pav. I'm not taking any of this experience for granted.
GS: You come to Minnesota, have a great first year experience and then you get the news there is a coaching change. How were you feeling at that time?
EM: I knew a head coaching change was a big thing, especially since I came to Minnesota and had a different coach than I had for my first two years of college. The head coach just dictates so much with the program and how the day-to-day life looks. I was sad too because I really appreciate Hugh, Matt, Jenni and Pedro and everything they did for me. At the end of the day, I totally get and respected the decision though, everyone had to do what was best for them.
Talk about your experience with the team in Hawaii, how beneficial was that in helping the relationships with the staff and your teammates?
EM: It was great because we were only at eight hours per week before that so it gave everyone a chance to get to spend more time together and get to know each other. We just had so many conversations and the car rides, beach time, going out to eat, it was all important for that relationship aspect.
What excites you most about the upcoming 2023 season?
EM: I'm really excited about our team and the girls we have. Obviously we got some super key additions too. It's a different team than last year with a lot of our personnel and our coaches. I'm just excited to see how all the new pieces come together as the season goes on. I love the season and it's always fun to travel and be in the competitive environment.
What did you learn in your first season with the Gophers in 2022?
EM: The Big Ten is super competitive. There's no such thing as an off week and no one you can take lightly. All of the teams are so talented. Every game we need to go in and take care of business, there's no time to chill. We have to be locked in every game. But it's an honor to play here and in the Big Ten.Elise was joined by her family and friends after last year's win at Nebraska.What does the team hope to achieve this year?![]()
EM: Of course the concrete goals like a Big Ten and national championship are the big ones. But also I'd really like to see our team grow as a group through the whole year. In August and September we need to keep improving our team chemistry and become one complete unit. Not that we aren't right now, but with a new group that's something that can take some time.
What do you like to do off the court?
EM: I go to class and do a lot of homework. In my freetime, I like to go downtown, go on walks or go to the lake. I love being in Minnesota and there's always so much to do here, especially in the summer. I have my bike here too so I like to do that when I get the chance. I also like to travel and go see friends and family, I got to see one of my best friends in Sioux Falls this summer, which was fun.
Favorite Food: Ice Cream and Enchiladas (not together)
Hidden Talent: I am a really good skier and love to do karaoke
Sport to Watch: Wrestling and Football
Fun Fact: I can remember song lyrics very well
Netflix Show: New Girl
Vacation Spot: Australia
Inspiration: My parents