2017 NCAA Top 10 Countdown: No. 5 Minnesota
Hugh McCutcheon’s Minnesota Gophers will have to rely on some new talent to get it done this year, but with the nation’s top setter at the controls, don’t count them out.
Last Season
29-5 overall, 17-3 Big Ten
National Semifinals (3-1 loss to Stanford)
2.71 blocks/set (No. 18 in nation)
.288 team hitting percentage (No. 6 in nation)
.853 winning percentage (No. 8 in nation)
The Players
Returning Stars
Maddie Beal | 6-foot-1 | Senior | Middle Blocker/Opposite
Alyssa Goehner | 5-11 | Senior | Outside Hitter/Defensive Specialist
Alexis Hart | 6-0 | Sophomore | Outside Hitter
Molly Lohman | 6-3 | Senior | Middle Blocker
Dalianliz Rosado | 5-9 | Senior | Libero
Samantha Seliger-Swenson | 5-11 | Junior | Setter
Biggest Losses
Katie Schau | 5-8 | Setter/Defensive Specialist
Hannah Tapp | 6-2 | Middle Blocker
Paige Tapp | 6-2 | Middle Blocker
Sarah Wilhite | 6-1 | Outside Hitter
The Newcomers
Regan Pittman | 6-5 | Redshirt Freshman | Middle Blocker
Alice Zeimann | 6-0 | Freshman | Outside Hitter
Stephanie Samedy | 6-2 | Freshman | Opposite
Sara Nielsen | 5-11 | Freshman | Setter
Jasmyn Martin | 6-3 | Freshman | Outside Hitter
Sydney Kleinman | 6-2 | Freshman | Outside Hitter
Lauren Barnes | 5-6 | Freshman | Libero
Preseason Matches to Watch
Big Ten/ACC Challenge | Madison, Wisconsin
Aug. 25 vs. North Carolina
American Campus Classic | Austin, Texas
Sept. 8 at Texas
Outlook
Three of Minnesota’s top four offensive producers from last season have graduated, so the Gophers have a bit of rebuilding to do. However, the incoming class of six freshmen, in addition to the imminent college debut of redshirt freshman Regan Pittman, will go a long way toward keeping Minnesota in the top third of the Big Ten rankings.
Returning Dalianliz Rosado at libero and Samantha Seliger-Swenson at setter means that the serve-receive and setting will remain consistent and on point for the Gophers. Sophomore Alexis Hart put up big numbers last season, even playing opposite of National Player of the Year Sarah Wilhite, and Hart will no doubt play an even bigger role for Minnesota this fall. In the middle, Molly Lohman will need to step up to match the play of the graduated Tapp twins.
Prediction
Minnesota might struggle to defeat a veteran Penn State squad but otherwise will contend for one of the top spots in the Big Ten and will have another deep run in the tournament.
Don't Miss a Beat
It's time to step up your game. Fill in the information below to get the best of FloVolleyball delivered directly to your inbox.MUST SEE FloFilms
Lauren Carlini: Setting the Standard
Watch full episode here.
The Program: Penn State
Watch Episode One here.
All In: USA Women's National Volleyball Team
Watch Episode One here.
