Gophers senior Lydia Grote looked like one of the best volleyball players in the country in
Wednesday’s upset against No. 7 Wisconsin at Maturi Pavilion.
Grote attacked the Badgers’ physically imposing block with no fear. She played arguably the best defensive match of her career. She stuffed the stat sheet in almost every way possible.
There’s no telling what the ceiling is for the No. 16 Gophers (8-3, 1-0 Big Ten) if Grote can keep up this high pace in Big Ten play, which continues Saturday at home against No. 10 Purdue (9-3, 0-1).
The Burbank, Calif., native recorded a season-high 17 kills, a career-high 16 digs, four blocks, three aces and three assists against the rival Badgers. It was a performance that was building after a slow start to the season.
“I’ve seen it coming for about two weeks now,” Gophers coach Keegan Cook said. “Lydia’s persistent. We tell them excellence is a moving target. You have to keep moving sometimes. She wants to do right by this program.”
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