Gopher Volleyball Splits Opening Pair Against Ranked Opponents

The Minnesota Golden Gophers volleyball team knew their season opening pair of games against ranked opponents in Sioux Falls in the State Farm Women's College Volleyball Showcase would be tough, and sure enough it was. Then #14 Minnesota was swept 3-0 by #13 Arizona State in Friday's season opener before the Gophers returned the favor to #12 Creighton on Saturday picking up a 3-0 sweep of their own.

In their season opener against Arizona State, the Gophers knew they would still be shorthanded as they slowly worked in their four starters who all missed large chunks of the season a year ago with injuries. Two of the four in McKenna Wucherer and Zeynep Palabiyik returned to action this past weekend while Minnesota still missed middle blocker Calissa Minatee and outside hitter Alex Acevedo. The Sun Devils had opened their schedule the weekend before with an upset win over #2 Texas 3-1.