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Post by minnevolleyballfan on Sept 2, 2024 23:34:49 GMT -5
Shaffmaster, Hanson, Z, Phoebe, and MINATEE brought it tonight! Full team effort but Minatee as a young middle going up against TX and holding her own was the bright spot for me. I’ve been saying it since the spring matches, I’m so excited to watch Minatee this year. |
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Post by mcmike on Sept 2, 2024 23:44:49 GMT -5
on the game thread Maigrey said:
"Wowwwwwwwwwww go gophs!
Someone do a wellness check on mplsgopher"
LOL
and Acea said:
I love seeing a team of transfers lose to a team that has lost a lot because of transfers 😍
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Post by JT on Sept 3, 2024 0:24:42 GMT -5
So… was it a mistake to keep Z as the sole Libero? Anyone think KT should have received the nod?
Were Keegan’s decisions on the pin hitters okay? Or should Alex have gotten her start against the #1 ranked team?
And of course, what about Mel?
Maybe, just maybe, the coaching staff knows what they’re doing?
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Post by GoGophs on Sept 3, 2024 0:28:00 GMT -5
So… was it a mistake to keep Z as the sole Libero? Anyone think KT should have received the nod? Were Keegan’s decisions on the pin hitters okay? Or should Alex have gotten her start against the #1 ranked team? And of course, what about Mel? Maybe, just maybe, the coaching staff knows what they’re doing?This win is a great reminder to trust the process 👍 they’re on a good trajectory! |
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Post by jeepers on Sept 3, 2024 3:56:26 GMT -5
So… was it a mistake to keep Z as the sole Libero? Anyone think KT should have received the nod? Were Keegan’s decisions on the pin hitters okay? Or should Alex have gotten her start against the #1 ranked team? And of course, what about Mel? Maybe, just maybe, the coaching staff knows what they’re doing?This win is a great reminder to trust the process 👍 they’re on a good trajectory! Barely remembering those January days where we had 1 middle blocker and no assistant coaches right now. |
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Post by usavolley01 on Sept 3, 2024 5:51:18 GMT -5
Minnesota freaking Gophers, let’s go! Let me be clear, I love Madi Skinner and am so proud of the way Jenna Wenaas has grown over the past 9-12 months.
But man it was so nice to watch Minnesota win a big one. They have had it in them from first serve of the 2023 season but it was obvious the team was shell shocked to their changes.
This year’s squad loves playing together, it’s apparent. Wucherer is playing with much confidence, I love Hanson playing 6ro. she’s got such a calming presence on the court, Shaff coming back was huge as she’s much more mobile and her leadership is key to their success.
I wanted this team to go deep into the season last year; I’m much more optimistic about those prospects this year. Regardless of how the remainder of the season unfolds, it seems early on that this is going to be a fun team to watch.
Personally, my fingers are crossed for a Minnesota vs Louisville championship match come December. 😉
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Post by jeepers on Sept 3, 2024 6:06:12 GMT -5
My Simple Stupid observations after the first weekend:
Shaffmaster looks great
Wucherer seems a lot calmer than last year, need to get her k/s higher but her all around game is so improved
Minatee slide adds a dimension this team was sorely missing last year
Awoleye and Shaffmaster still aren't connecting well, but what a block
Z will keep getting better
Julia Hanson
Grote will do what needs to be done
Defensive effort by all players on every play
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Post by comet on Sept 3, 2024 6:57:35 GMT -5
This is the best volleyball I've seen the Gophers play since 2018. A complete team, setting, hitting, blocking and defense. I'm so proud of Shaffmaster, it's finally clicking for her. This is the setter we all hoped she would be!
Z and Thibault are stabilizing our backrow. Z is all over and our middle backs are making plays and hustling. Awoleye and Minatee are bringing a great blocking presence to the net (thank you Pedro!) while also being an offensive threat.
It's not just that we won you guys, we're also playing great volleyball!! I could cry!
Consistency is the key this season. Can we keep up this high level of play? Can we stay healthy? Can we still improve? Because everyone else will be getting better as the season progresses.
Fun things to be contemplating at the beginning of the season. I love the energy this team has. They're COMPETING, amd look the healthiest mentally, physically and emotionally we have in a long time. Whew. Onward and upward Gophs!
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Post by maigrey on Sept 3, 2024 7:35:05 GMT -5
on the game thread Maigrey said: "Wowwwwwwwwwww go gophs! Someone do a wellness check on mplsgopher" LOLI mean, has anyone seen him since the match ended? 😂 |
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Post by maigrey on Sept 3, 2024 7:36:24 GMT -5
So… was it a mistake to keep Z as the sole Libero? Anyone think KT should have received the nod? Were Keegan’s decisions on the pin hitters okay? Or should Alex have gotten her start against the #1 ranked team? And of course, what about Mel? Maybe, just maybe, the coaching staff knows what they’re doing?I mean, I still would have given McKenna time to rest and regroup and put Acevedo in at the end of the 4th.  |
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Post by minnley on Sept 3, 2024 7:40:30 GMT -5
This is the best volleyball I've seen the Gophers play since 2018. A complete team, setting, hitting, blocking and defense. I'm so proud of Shaffmaster, it's finally clicking for her. This is the setter we all hoped she would be! Z and Thibault are stabilizing our backrow. Z is all over and our middle backs are making plays and hustling. Awoleye and Minatee are bringing a great blocking presence to the net (thank you Pedro!) while also being an offensive threat. It's not just that we won you guys, we're also playing great volleyball!! I could cry! Consistency is the key this season. Can we keep up this high level of play? Can we stay healthy? Can we still improve? Because everyone else will be getting better as the season progresses. Fun things to be contemplating at the beginning of the season. I love the energy this team has. They're COMPETING, amd look the healthiest mentally, physically and emotionally we have in a long time. Whew. Onward and upward Gophs! I love your post... but there's no crying in volleyball. |
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gvfan
High School
Posts: 12
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Post by gvfan on Sept 3, 2024 7:48:32 GMT -5
I think Connor Onion said it after Julia Hanson got a big kill in the Stanford match and did the shoulder shrug, "Are you not entertained?". I'll be thinking that every time she gets a big kill this season.
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Post by courtwatchers on Sept 3, 2024 8:06:27 GMT -5
So… was it a mistake to keep Z as the sole Libero? Anyone think KT should have received the nod? Were Keegan’s decisions on the pin hitters okay? Or should Alex have gotten her start against the #1 ranked team? And of course, what about Mel? Maybe, just maybe, the coaching staff knows what they’re doing?I mean, I still would have given McKenna time to rest and regroup and put Acevedo in at the end of the 4th. Agree...because momentum means everything in this sport and it wasn't in our favor, at the time. Sit out a rotation take a breather and refocus is what I was thinking for Wookie. We, so often as a group, were unable to come back in that 5th set when down so badly in the 4th. Unbelievable 5th set by these Gophers. Fantastic team effort and performance all the way around. You certainly could have fooled me.....I never never never saw this win coming. I'm still thinking about it and shaking my head in disbelief but in a very very happy way for the players and the program. |
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Post by BigDigEnergy on Sept 3, 2024 8:09:21 GMT -5
There are so many happy Gopher fans here and rightfully so. There are just a lot to love from this team this season. Many of us have seen the game, so I will talk about some of the intangibles
I am so impressed with how the team and coaches effectively addressed the weaknesses/issues from Game 1 against Stanford. It is night and day. That to me seems like the game 1 was mostly mental and nerve and the ladies have the skill sets to compete with the best which they showed in Game 2.
I don't know how many of us have Instagram here but there was a short clip of players dumping water on Keegan in the locker room after the game. I swear I never seen that happen in Hugh's era. I love seeing that and the players were so comfortable doing that. That speaks a lot to the relationship and culture they built!
I honestly was a bit concerned that we had to go to another 5th set after having to play a 5 setter the night before. But the girls didn't show any sign of fatigue at all. It seems that the ladies are well-conditioned physically and mentally to play some long games! Well done trainers and coaches!
Finally, I think this BIG WIN will make these ladies believe in themselves even more and the program/culture that they have been building. We know that they have been talking about it but as a fan, I cannot be happier to see it come together like this. I am thrilled for these players!
GO Gophers! Onwards.......
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Post by skolgophers on Sept 3, 2024 8:42:35 GMT -5
I just have to say: the Crowl serving sub is genius and should be used moving forward. Her serving is consistent, gives the opposing side a new look, and her defense is shockingly good!
If Grote is struggling, give Schnichels a go on the right (if need be)
Also, if anyone caught the interview with Shaffmaster after the match, it gave me chills.
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