No. 3 Minnesota had a big start to its four-match road t
rip by dismantling No. 1 Wisconsin in a clean three set sweep Wednesday.
The Gophers followed up losing their No. 1 ranking last week by beating the current No. 1 Badgers in their home gym.
Minnesota made quick work of Wisconsin and won the first set 25-20. The Gophers hit .242 in the set and held the Badgers to a bleak -.029 hitting percentage.
The Gophers continued to command in the second set and though the Badgers managed to hit .267, it couldn’t match Minnesota’s match-high .452 mark.
Wisconsin could’ve threatened a Minnesota sweep in the third set, but the Gophers got out to a quick lead. The Badgers continued to have trouble with hitting and ended the set with a -0.56 mark. Minnesota had a ten-point lead toward the end of the set and came out victorious with a 25-14 final score for the sweep.
Wisconsin hit a season-low of .050 total on the match and had 27 attack errors by game’s end. The Gophers hit a season opponent-high .323 over the Badgers on their turf.
Seniors led the way for Minnesota’s offense, as outside hitter Sarah Wilhite had 12 kills, followed by middle blockers Hannah and Paige Tapp, who had 11 and nine kills, respectively.
Junior libero Dalianliz Rosado had 11 digs, while sophomore setter Samantha Seliger-Swenson set up success with 41 assists, her best mark of the season.
Minnesota easily shut down the Big Ten’s best-blocking team and held them to just three blocks on the night. Junior middle blocker Molly Lohman set a personal season-best record for blocks in a match with nine total.
Minnesota continues its road slate and looks to reclaim the No. 1 spot in the country with a match against Michigan State Saturday.
