Oct 26. vs Michigan State

The Minnesota Golden Gophers played host to the Michigan State Spartans on Wednesday.

The first set started with Michigan State taking an early 3-1 lead over Minnesota. The Gophers, however, were able to tie it up at 15 after a block from Mckenna Wucherer. After a pivotal Carter Booth kill, Minnesota was leading for the first time since 7-6, putting the game at 17-16. A Taylor Landfair kill sealed the set for the Gophers at 25-20.

Set two had Jenna Wenaas and Wucherer putting up the first two points for Minnesota with two kills as both teams split the first four points. The Spartans started to play with some momentum, scoring five of the next six points.

A 10-1 point run gave Minnesota a dominant five point lead later in the set. The Gophers extended their lead to nine at 18-9 after a block party from CC Mcgraw. Minnesota went on to score seven of the last 11 points to take set two 25-14.

After an ace from Melani Shaffmaster and kills from Arica Davis, Landfair and Wenaas, the Gophers started off hot in set three, leading 4-1. The Spartans responded, but throughout the set, Minnesota was on fire. Julia Hanson finished the match with her first kill of the night, bringing the final set score to 25-11.

Freshman Booth made her return after missing the last two games due to an illness. She threw down eight kills and five blocks for Minnesota.

The win for the Gophers brings them to an all-time 60-19 record against Michigan State. Mcgraw hit her 95th career 10+ dig outing. She is now up to 1,768 for her career, which is just 102 behind Dalianliz Rosado for the No. 3 spot in program history.

Oct 29. vs Wisconsin

The Gophers traveled to Madison, Wisconsin, over Halloween weekend to take on their border rivals, the Wisconsin Badgers.

After spliting the first four points of the game, Landfair and Booth each led with kills for Minnesota.

After a few Minnesota scoring runs, the Badgers kept a five point lead at 20-15. The Badgers ultimately came out on top 25-20, with Sarah Franklin leading them in the first set with five kills.

The Badgers had the early advantage over the Gophers in set two after putting up four of the first five points. After tying the game at 13, a Gophers blocking error and Wisconsin ace helped to bring the Badgers ahead at 20-16. Minnesota cut Wisconsin’s lead to two, three different times, but in the end, the Badgers took set two 25-20.

A kill from Wenaas and an ace from McGraw put the Gophers up right away 2-0 to start set three. Wisconsin tied the score at eight just before Minnesota exploded onto a 5-0 point run putting them ahead 13-8.

Kills from Landfair, Wucherer and Davis helped to give Minnesota an astounding 18-13 lead. Minnesota’s momentum didn’t stop there as they scored four of the next five, and a block from both Booth and Landfair closed out the set for Minneaota 25-16.

With Wisconsin on the verge of victory, it was clear from the start set four would be nothing short of a “barn burner.” Wisconsin came out hot scoring nine of the first 13 points.

A kill from Franklin helped put the Badgers up 18-11, but the Gophers were not quite finished. Three kills from Davis and one more from Landfair cut the lead to 19-16. The Gophers came within one at 24-23. After a long rally, and hard fought match, Wisconsin came out on top 25-23, winning the set and match.

Davis played her best match as a Gopher with a season best of eight kills, hitting .545. This match would be the first time all season Minnesota has out-hit, out-blocked and out-dug its opponent.

The Gophers will return home to take on the Michigan Wolverines on Friday, Nov. 4 at 6:30 p.m.