The Gophers women’s volleyball team exited the NCAA tournament in the second round last season, repeating the previous year’s result.
During Big Ten media day on July 28, Gophers head coach Keegan Cook said it is time to take the next step.
“We hope to remember it as the good before the great, and we’re looking to make a jump here,” Cook said.
The Gophers lost six matches by two points last year, finishing 21-11.
Melani Shaffmaster, their primary setter, finished her career with the Gophers last year. She spent all five years with the Gophers, and her departure left a big skill gap to fill.
Freshman Stella Swenson will take a position as setter after redshirting last year. It may be difficult to take the place of Shaffmaster, but Swenson is experienced in high-pressure situations after winning gold with Team USA’s U21 team this year.
Seniors Julia Hanson and McKenna Wucherer were named to the Big Ten preseason watchlist. Hanson became a unanimous All-Big Ten first-team selection after a breakout season.
When asked how Hanson planned to improve on her best season yet, she gave a humble answer, claiming that there may be too much for Cook to teach her before she graduates.
“Keegan has a lot more that he can teach me,” Hanson said. “Probably, he has too much to teach me within the next four or five months.”
Hanson added that she wants to continue learning. When Cook spoke about her, he said most athletes are agreeable, but Hanson is the most coachable athlete he has had since being in Minnesota.
Junior Zeynep Palabiyik said the team culture at this moment is all about effort, and Cook rewards the athletes for consistently showing up.
“We have some sayings like, effort makes you eligible,” Palabiyik said. “Showing up every day, practice with your teammates, be a good teammate, just supporting each other.”
Gophers women’s volleyball is aiming for 11 straight NCAA tournament appearances. The 2025 American Coaches Volleyball Association preseason ranking poll ranked Minnesota at No. 11.
However, multiple Big Ten teams, Nebraska, Penn State and Wisconsin, were ranked above them.
Cook said that when planning their schedule, he wants the players to experience the pressure of a potential championship game for their first official game. Last year, they played the No. 2-ranked Stanford first. This year, they will play Texas A&M.
