When freshman Jordan Taylor joined the Gophers volleyball team, her goals were small, just to get playing time. Now, she is a starter.
Four season-ending injuries plagued the Gophers early in the season, with their veteran players repeatedly getting injured.
First it was senior McKenna Wucherer, then junior Zeynep Palabiyik, senior Calissa Minatee and finally sophomore Alex Acevedo, all on the bench in plainclothes.
Despite the absence of notable upperclassmen, Gophers volleyball has maintained the mentality of next man up.
Through adversity, the team has bonded and continues to fight, regardless of the situation they are in.
“I love getting in the gym every day with these girls,” senior Julia Hanson said. “No matter who’s out there, it doesn’t matter, cause we’re all going to work hard, and you know, we love each other, so that’s the biggest thing.”
Freshman Carly Gilk and Taylor also maintain a positive attitude when addressing the team’s challenging situation. They said it is not a pressure thing, but rather an opportunity to grow as a player with the teammates you’re going to see for the next four years.
“You’re no longer like a freshman trying to figure it out, you’re just trying to be the best teammate and player you can be,” Taylor said.
Minnesota is wrapping up their most difficult stretch of the season. From Oct. 24 to Nov. 14, the Gophers face only one unranked opponent.
Coach Keegan Cook said one can look at the situation from a negative light or a positive one, and he is choosing positive.
“There’s a lot of teams that we get to play in this building, and I’m excited about that,” Cook said. “The best part of our season’s at the end, and it’s at home, and so I just want to go for it.”
After falling in five sets against No. 22 University of Southern California, Cook said he was bummed about the outcome but excited for the coaching opportunity.
“The overwhelming feeling is I’m just fired up to teach,” Cook said.
The Gophers continue to improve under Cook’s guidance.
Against USC, Gilk posted her career-high nine service aces. Taylor posted her career-high hitting percentage against the University of Illinois.
In an Oct. 24 game against the No. 23 Indiana Hoosiers, four freshmen achieved career-highs.
“I just feel like I wanna show up for my teammates,” Taylor said. “We’ve gone through so much, so every day when I walk into practice or a game, I just feel motivated.”
The Gophers will do a small road trip to Madison to play No. 11 Wisconsin before coming back to Maturi Pavillion to play No. 1 Nebraska.
The University of Nebraska volleyball team is applauded for their consistent depth. The Gophers volleyball team does not have the same blessing.
When asking about the problem this could be, Gilk quoted Cook, saying, “‘they have to approach every opponent the same.’”
“No changing how you act depending on what team you’re facing,” Gilk said. “Whether they are No. 1 or unranked, the Gophers have to bring it every time.”
