Out & About: Minnesota/Northwestern

#3 posting 11.17.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

MINNESOTA gophers 3, NORTHWESTERN wildcats 0
(30-25, 30-25, 30-27)

Minnesota had a measure of revenge with a sweep of Northwestern.

NW led early 9-5 before MN went on a 12-5 run to go up 17-14. Brooke Dieter had four straight points in the run on points 9-12 with three kills and a block. Dieter closed out the run with four straight service points. A NW time out stopped the run. NW forced a tie at 20 all on a run of three. MN answered with the next three points. NW again tied the game at 25. A missed serve by Anderson gave the ball back to MN and Dieter never gave it back. She had two aces in the last four points. The odd thing about game one---MN only had a fbso% of .400. The difference was they didn't permit runs to get out of hand. MN won the runs of 3 in game one 5-2.

The Gophers took the early lead 15-7 in game two. NW was forced to take two time outs on Rachel Hartmann's serve. Jessy Jones had three points in the five point run. The second time out by NW stopped the bleeding momentarily. MN's largest lead came at 20-9. After that the Gophers stalled out and NW finished with a 16-10 run.

After the break, NW took the early lead 8-4 after Minnesota gave away six points on errors. MN took their first lead at 11-10. Kyla Roehrig had three straight points, two on blocks to take the lead. NW held their last lead at 24-23. Three straight Dieter kills forced NW to take a time out. Roehrig finished off the Wildcats with three points.

Minnesota wasn't as sharp in this game as last night. The

Now the Gophers will need to take at least one of two next week on the road at Wisconsin and Illinois. The Illini took a match at home back in October.

This game marked the end of seniors Jessy Jones and Kelly Roysland's home career.

MINNESOTA
rotation, player, position, aces-blocks-kills--totals
1. Hailey Cowles, DS 1-0-0----1
1fr Kyla Roehrig, OH 0-2/3-14---17.5
2. Christine Tan, L 0-0-0----0
2fr Jessy Jones, MH 0-0/8-8---12
3. Kelly Roysland, DS 1-0-0---1
3fr Kelly Schmidt, RH 0-0/7-3---6.5
4 Brooke Dieter, OH 2-3-18----23
5 Lauren Gibbemeyer, MH 0-2/3-5---8.5
6 Rachel Hartmann, S 0-0/3-3---4.5
totals 4-7/24-51---74

NORTHWESTERN
1. Elyse Glab, S, 1-0/3-0---2.5
2. Courtnie Paulus, OH 1-0/1-2---3.5
2fr Sabel Moffett, OH 0-0-1---1
2fr Brittani Gray, OH 0-0-5---5
3 Kate Nobilio, L 0-0-0---0
3fr Brittany Aldridge, MH 0-1/4-8---11
4 Naomi Johnson, RH 0-1/3-7---9.5
4br Ariel Baxterbeck, DS 0-0-0---0
4br Emma Bollert, DS 0-0-0---0
5 Lindsay Anderson, OH 1-0/1-11--12.5
6 Chelsy Hyser, MH 0-0/3-6---7.5
totals: 3-2/15-40---52.5

TRENCH PLAYER
Brooke Dieter

BY THE NUMBERS
Teams, fbso/att; fbso%; points, %earned; %allowed
Minnesota 29/50; .580; 90; .822; .312
Northwestern 28/49; .571; 77; .688; .178
3+runs: Minnesota 11, Northwestern 6
missed serves; NW 5, MN 6
Ace:Error ratio: MN .667; NW .600;
Time out: NW 4/6; MN 1/1

Next up: tomorrow morning

Out & About: Minnesota/Michigan State

#3 posting 11.16.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

MINNESOTA gophers 3, MICHIGAN STATE spartans 1
(30-23, 24-30, 30-21, 30-18)

The Minnesota Gophers had one bump in the road in the four game win over Michigan State. That bump happened in game two when they fell behind 14-1. Other than that one bad stretch the Gophers had a strong performance, limited their errors to 17 on the night and had a first ball side out percentage of .667 in the victory over Michigan State.

First off it was near impossible to move on campus tonight. There were major events going on all over---Men's Hockey, Women's Basketball and state high school swimming tournament. Traffic didn't budge, parking was scarce. What usually takes 23 minutes to go from my home to the parking lot took a good 55 minutes. Luckily it was parent night and I wasn't late for the actual game.

The Gophers have reverted back to putting Brook Dieter on the left side. That probably happened last week when Dieter picked up her third player of the week honor in the Big 10. She does have a groove there and again had a strong kill game with 18.

Minnesota broke free in game one with a 8-2 run to lead 20-13. The Gophers had a six straight fbso string early in the contest. They only gave up one run late in the game.

Game two saw the Gophers fall flat at the start 14-1. Since the Spartans went into break with a 30-24 win Minnesota outscored MSU 23-16 the rest of the way. In fact the only two runs MSU had in game two was right at the beginning.

Minnesota adjusted their line up in game three. Katie Vatterodt started in games one and two. Kelly Schmidt started in game three and four. The Gophers also adjusted their serve rotations with Hartmann leading off in games one and two. Christine Tan led off in game three, and Kelly Roysland led off in game four. Minnesota led right from the start as they came off break with renewed vigor and urgency. They jumped off to a 10-1 lead. MN maintained that up to 25-20 when they took a time out to stop a MSU run. Dieter came back with a kill after the time out and the Gophers finished with a 4-1 run.

In game four MSU never had a run of 3 or more. On top of that Minnesota's fbso was 12/15 or .800 %. That is solid. If they can maintain that door slamming fbso %, and can remain consistent, then they may surprise a few folks. They have the size at the net. The ball control and defense looked better tonight.

MINNESOTA
Rotation; player, position, aces-blocks-kills-total
1. Rachel Hartmann, S 0-0/4-3---5
2. Hailey Cowles, DS 1-0-0----1
2fr Kyla Roehrig, OH 0-0/1-18---18.5
3 Christine Tan, L 0-0-0---0
3fr Jessy Jones, MH 0-2/3-6---9.5
4 Kelly Roysland, DS 0-0-0----0
4fr Katie Vatterodt, RH g1&2 0-0/2-2---3
4fr Kelly Schmidt, RH g3&4 0-0-3---3
5 Brooke Dieter, OH 0-3-18---21
6 Lauren Gibbemeyer, MH 2-1/4-13----18
Totals: 3-6/14-63---79

MICHIGAN STATE
1. Ashley Schatzle, OH 1-0/1-16---17.5
1br Allyson Karaba, server 0-0-0---0
2. Jessica Hohl, MH 1-0/2-6---8
3. Heather McDaniel, DS 0-0-0----0
3fr Jenilee Rathje, RS 0-0/4-13---15
4. Katie Johnson, OH 0-0/6-13----16
5. Mike Trogdon, L 0-0-0----0
5fr Vanessa King, MH 0-0/9-7----11.5
6. Lauren O'Reilly, S 1-0/2-5---7
totals: 3-0/24-60----75

TRENCH PLAYER
Brook Dieter

BY THE NUMBERS
team, fbso/att; fbso%; points, %earned, %allowed
Minnesota 40/60; .667; 114; .693; .185
Michigan State 29/62; .468; 92; .815; .307
3+runs: MN 10, MSU 5
missed serves: MN 5, MSU 7
Ace to Error: MN 0.60; MSU 0.43
Time out %: MN 1/3; MSU 4/6

ROTATIONS
MINNESOTA
1. Hartmann 12-19 .387
2. Cowles 18-19 .486
3. Tan 18-12 .600
4. Roysland 20-15 .571
5. Dieter 28-14 .667
6. Gibbemeyer 18-13 .581
totals: 114-92 .553
Hartman led off in game 1 (on defense) and 2; Tan led off (on defense) in 3; Roysland served first in four.

MICHIGAN STATE
1. Schaetzle 14-16 .467
2. Hohl 22-28 .440
3. McDaniel 20-25 .444
4. Johnson 13-19 .406
5. Trogdon 12-15 .444
6. O'Reilly 11-11 .500
totals: 92-114 .447

Next up: tomorrow morning

Gophers Fall in Five, Milestones

#6 posting 11.2.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

GOPHERS LOSE IN MICHIGAN
The Minnesota Gophers dropped a narrow five game match to the Wolverines in Ann Arbor. Games one and three were decided by the narrow margin of two points. The Gopher middles had big nights with Lauren Gibbemeyer notching 19 kills, and Jessy Jones firing away for 17. Katie Bruzdzinski of Michigan had 23 kills to lead both teams.

500 WINS
Ada-Borup coach Ruth Hayden picked up her 500th win this season back on September 8 vs Roseau. Delano coach Rebecca Rue is her daughter. Both are playing in the section finals tomorrow. The 5AA final is at Big Lake but the time has changed now to 5 pm.

PHOTO UPLOADS
I have finally put up the photos of the
Maple Grove win over Totino, Blaine win over Osseo, and Delano win over Orono.

thanks to the readers for the help. If you have news, go to my profile and email me.

next up: tomorrow morning

Streak Over

#2 posting 11.1.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

STREAK OVER
The Minnesota Gophers snapped a seven game losing streak with a sweep of Iowa at home. The Minnesota Daily headline is Finally!

Kelly Roysland has a feature in the AP, and in this case the West Central Tribune, with her transition from basketball to volleyball after a four year absence.

Former Gophers Lindsey Berg and Cassie Busse are playing for the U.S. National Team at FIVB Women’s World Cup

Also last night Iowa State swept Colorado. Erin Boeve (Hills-Beaver Creek) had 14 kills for ISU.

MIAC PLAYOFFS
St. Benedict will host Concordia Moorhead tonight, a team they beat five days ago. From the St. Cloud Times.

STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE CHAMPS
The Marshall Independent has more on the Ridgewater comeback win in the Community College State tournament.

NUMBER CRUNCHING
TOTAL POINTS
Erin Boeve, Iowa State 23 vs Colorado 3-0

Thanks to the readers for the help. If you have news, go to my profile and email me.

next up: A look at the MIAC All Conference team

Out & About: Minnesota/Ohio State

#6 posting 10.27.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball & information

OHIO STATE buckeyes 3,
MINNESOTA gophers 2

Ohio State rallied from a 2-0 deficit to break the Gophers' hearts Saturday in Williams Arena. The game was eerily similar to the one in Columbus when Minnesota won the first two, lost the next two and hung on for the fifth. Minnesota has now lost 7 straight, and four straight at home, counting Williams Arena as home.

This game is ironic considering Minnesota outpointed Ohio State 126-123 and earned 86 points to Ohio State 78. The Gophers out hit OSU .117 to .083, and out blocked OSU 22 to 11. One thing Minnesota led in was 45 errors to 40 for OSU.

The Gophers broke free in game one with an 8-1 run over the serves of Brook Dieter and Rachelle Hagerty. Ohio State was having problems with ball control as Hagerty had two overpass kills, plus another kill for three of the points. Lauren Gibbemeyer had two blocks and a slide for another three points. That put Minnesota in the drivers seat at 21-17. Ohio State closed to 24-22 when another Gopher five point run put them on the verge at 29-22. All the points, after the side out, came off of Christine Tan's serve. OSU added two points with a side out and an ace. The Gophers took a time out to break the momentum. A kill by Jessy Jones ended game one 30-24.

Minnesota used the momentum in the first game win to open with a 3-0 lead. The only time they trailed in game two came early at 5-4. The Gophers extended their lead to 14-9 on a some Ohio State hitting errors during Hagerty and Fallon's serve. Minnesota kept pushing out to 26-16 during Hagerty's serve in the next sequence. Again Ohio State errors were gift wrapped as Gopher points. Ohio State fought back with an 8-5 finish. As it was Minnesota went into the locker room at the break with a solid 30-23 win. For this game the first ball side out % for Minnesota was .688 (11/16).

Game three is when the Gophers fortunes took a turn south. Neither team shook free from the other with 16 ties in this game. The last tie coming at 25 after a Ohio State hitting error. The Gophers biggest lead came at 20-17 after a quick kill by Jones. OSU took a time out after that. Minnesota's last large lead came at 21-18. After that OSU had a 12-6 run to finish the game. Minnesota was victimized by dumps by Briana McCarthy plus hitting errors now being gift wrapped by the Gophers. Fallon missed a serve to put OSU in the lead at 26-25. Ohio State added two more points to make it 28-25. A double contact gave the ball back to the Gophers. A block by Roehrig cut the margin to 28-27. However two hitting errors ended game three 30-27 for Ohio State.

Game four is the game you can pin point the spot where the momentum definitely shifted. Minnesota led 14-8 early with the Gophers gaining 6/7 first ball side outs. A Dieter hitting error handed the ball back to OSU. Brook Dieter then served up six points. Six of the seven points in the run (including the side out) were all Minnesota errors either hitting errors, double contacts, or net violations. All in all it was a 10-2 run for Ohio State as they took the lead 20-18. Minnesota did bounce back with a run of four during Hartmann's serve. Jessy Jones had a had in two of the points with a block and an overpass kill. Minnesota could smell the finish line at 26-21 after a Jones tip kill. But Meyer wasn't about to let the match end. She spearheaded a 10-3 run to finish the game. The Gophers desperately tried to stop the momentum with a time out when they led 26-24 and then again at 27-26. A Gibbemeyer slide put Minnesota up 28-26. Dieter's serve went wide. McCarthy returned for Ohio State with an ace to tie it at 28. Hagerty got the side out kill and then was up to serve. An overpass kill gave the ball back to OSU. They never gave the ball back. A hitting error and then an ace ended game four 31-29 Ohio State.

Game five started off all right for Minnesota with a 4-3 lead. That was because Minnesota was siding out three straight times. They didn't, or couldn't the next five Ohio State servers. The Buckeyes had a run of three to go up 9-6. Minnesota took a time out. After the break the Gophers got the side out which started a run of three which tied the game at 9. Hagerty missed her serve and that kicked off a four point run by OSU 13-9. A Gibbemeyer block held off OSU for a time. Kelly Roysland served for Gibbemeyer, but OSU only allowed 3 points on Minnesota serves in game five on 5/7 servers. Minnesota allowed 8 points. That was the difference.

Minnesota is young and needs to finish. Game three could have gone either way, but missed serves at key points (25 all) opens the doors to bad things. However the 26-21 lead at game four was the back breaker. Five hitting/net errors and two aces can be cleaned up. In game five the missed serve opened the door to four straight OSU points. Ball control is still not as consistent. The Hawkeyes come to town on Halloween. I think the Gophers are going to take their frustrations out on the Hawkeyes. They are not used to losing seven straight and they are not used to losing at home either.

MINNESOTA
rotation, name, position, aces-blocks-kills ----points---errors---totals
1. Rochelle Hagerty, OH 1-4/3-15----21.5 -18 3.5
1serve Kelly Fallon 0-0-0----0 -1 -1
2, Lauren Gibbemeyer, MH 1-0/10-12----18 -10 8
2. Kelly Roysland, DS 0-0-2-----2 -1 1
3. Rachel Hartmann, S 1-0/9-3----8.5 -5 3.5
4. Christine Tan, L 1-0-0-----1 -4 -3
4fr Kyla Roehrig, OH 0-1/4-7-----10 -8 2
5 Hailey Cowles, DS 0-0-0-----0 -8 -8
5fr Jessy Jones, MH 0-1/6-7----11 -4 7
6 Brook Dieter, RH 2-0-12----14 -8 6
Totals: 6-22-58----86 points, 40 points on Ohio State errors

OHIO STATE
rotation, name, position, aces-blocks-kills
1 Betsy Hone, DS 1-0-0----1 -3 -2
1 Kristi Hunter, OH 1-0/5-6----9.5 -8 1.5
2 Ashley Hughes, L 0-0-0----0 -1 -1
2 Susan Halvorson, L 0-0-0----0-0 0
2 Kaila Calhoun, MH 0-0/9-4----8.5 -9 -0.5
3 Katie Dull, RH 2-0/3-12-----15.5 -12 3.5
4 Ami Stevens, OH 1-0/1-7----8.5 -11 -2.5
5 Danielle Meyer, MH 1-0/2-20-----22 -15 7
6 Briana McCarthy, S 2-0/2-10----13 -10 3
totals 8-11-59----78 points, 45 points on Minnesota errors

TRENCH PLAYER
Danielle Meyer

BY THE NUMBERS
team, fbso/attempts; fbso%; points; earned %; allowed %
Minnesota 44/79; .557; 126; .683; .366
Ohio State 40/73; .548; 123 .634; .317
3+ runs: Minnesota 11, Ohio State 11
missed serves: Minnesota 15, Ohio State 14

ROTATIONS
MINNESOTA
Hagerty/Fallon 30-23 .566
Gibbemeyer/Roysland 18-22 .480
Hartmann 18-13 .581
Tan 25-25 .500
Cowles 15-23 .395
Dieter 19-17 .528
totals: 126-123 .506

OHIO STATE
Hunter/Hone 18-24 .429
Calhoun/Hughes 17-16 .515
Dull 22-26 .458
Stevens 18-18 .500
Meyer 24-24 .500
McCarthy 24-18 .571
totals: 123-126 .494

Minnesota started the first three games with Hagerty in the one spot. In game four Tan was in the one spot and the Gophers reverted to Hagerty in game five.
Ohio State had three different starting points. In the first two games the Hunter/Hone combination was in the one spot. In games three and four Dull led off. In game five another new line up with McCarthy taking the first serve.

As you can see both teams were fairly even with four .500 or better rotations for Minnesota and the same amount for Ohio State. The one rotation that was hurt was Cowles in game four with Meyer notching 7 points off them.

next up: tomorrow morning

Out & About: Minnesota/Penn State

#5 posting 10.26.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

PENN STATE nittany lions 3, MINNESOTA gophers 0
(30-21, 30-25, 30-15)

Penn State handed Minnesota their 6th straight loss in Minneapolis tonight. Penn State could move up to #1 in the nation next week after the sweep loss by #1 Nebraska earlier this week. As it was Minnesota tried different combinations with changes in the line up, but the results were the same. The changes included Brook Dieter moving from left to right, flipping with Katie Vatterodt to start, and Rachelle Hagerty to finish. It doesn't seem like the Gophers have a line up they can live with. In the back row Kelly Roysland is now seeing limited touches. Christine Tan is now working on left back issues. Lauren Gibbemeyer is seeing more action in the back row. Hailey Cowles also has moved to middle back. The retooled lineup is still trying to get used to the new spots.

Minnesota hung with Penn State early having leads at 3-1 and 8-7, but a fatal 9-0 run on a side out and Christa Harmotto's serve to take a 16-8 lead. Three hitting errors and two aces were part of the Penn State run. The Gophers tried to stop the bleeding at 12-8. Truth be told neither team was on top of their first ball side out game. Penn State allowed three runs of 3 points in the first game, and only had a fbso of .583.

The Gophers best chance for a win came in game two. Penn State led early 9-5 but a four point run on a side out and Christine Tan serve tied the game at 9. Rachelle Hagerty had a hand in three straight points with two kills sandwiched around a block. There were six ties in game two with the last coming at 24. That came after a 4-1 run by the Gophers. Penn State took a time out to talk about it and put their foot down, or at least the ball down, with a 6-1 run.

That winning momentum propelled Penn State to a commanding lead in the third game with a 4-0 start and break points at 13-3, and 23-9. The Gophers were not able to get a side out, Penn State sided out for the Gophers with three straight missed serves. However Penn State was able to squeeze points off all of those serves, but one. Minnesota, on the other hand, did not score a point on their own serve until their 11th serve of the game. There really wasn't any rhythm to the game for Minnesota, Penn State controlled the action at the net, and picked and chose where and when to put the ball down. Seemingly down balls came back to life with Penn State's defense and that deflated the Gophers.

MINNESOTA
rotation, player, position, aces-blocks-kills----total points
1. Lauren Gibbemeyer, MH 0-1/0-7----8
1bf Kelly Roysland, DS 0-0-0-----0
2. Rachel Hartmann, S 0-0-0----0
3. Christine Tan, L 1-0-0-----1
3fr Kyla Roehrig, OH 0-1/0-6----7
4 Hailey Cowles, DS 0-0-0-----0
4fr Jessy Jones, MH 0-0/1-5-----5.5
5 Brook Dieter, RH 0-0-6----6
6 Katie Vatterodt, OH 0-0-1----1
6 Rochelle Hagerty, OH 0-0/1-10----10.5
6br Kelly Fallon, DS 1-0-0-----1
totals: 2-2/2-35-----40 points, 21 points on Penn State errors

PENN STATE
1. Nicole Fawcett, OH 0-0/2-13----14
1br Alyssa D'Errico, DS 0-0-0----0
2 Roberta Holehouse, L 0-0-0---0
2fr Melissa Walbridge, MH 0-1/4-3---6
3 Kate Price, RH 1-0-0-----1
3 Kara Callahan, DS 0-0-0----0
4 Megan Hodge, OH 2-0/2-19-----2
5 Christa Harmotto, MH 1-2/4-6----11
5 Ann Naylor, DS 0-0-0----0
6 Alisha Glass, S 0-2/3-4----7.5
6 Blair Brown, RH 0-0/1-6-----6.5
Michelle Osterreider 0-0-0-----0
totals: 4-13-51-----68 points, 22 points on Minnesota errors

TRENCH PLAYER
Megan Hodge

NUMBER CRUNCHING
team, fbso/attempts; fbso%; points; %earned; %allowed
Minnesota 19/43, .442; 61, .656, .244
Penn State 28/42, .667; 90, .756, .344
missed serves: Penn State 12, Minnesota 7
3+ runs: Penn State 12, Minnesota 4

ROTATIONS
MINNESOTA
Lauren Gibbemeyer 9-16 .360
Rachel Hartmann 7-12 .368
Christine Tan 13-10 .565
Hailey Cowles 10-17 .345
Brook Dieter 10-23 .303
Hagerty/Fallon 12-11 .522
totals: 61-90 .404
This is the rotation they used in game one. In games 2 & 3 Cowles led off.

PENN STATE
1. Fawcett/D'Errico 13-8 .619
2 Roberta Holehouse 13-9 .591
3 Kate Price 19-8 .703
4 Megan Hodge 16-12 .571
5 Ann Naylor 20-13 .606
6 Glass 8-11 .421
totals: 90-61 .596
Only one Penn State rotation failed to win tonight. Four Gopher rotations were sub .400

Next up: tomorrow morning

#2 Penn State, Ohio State in Town

#2 posting 10.26.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

COLLEGIATE REPORTS
D1
The Gophers will have their hands full tonight with #2 Penn State. Tomorrow Ohio State & Minnesota will play in Williams Arena. Minnesota is looking to snap a five match losing streak. More in the 10 page Gopher weekly press release.

Late Wednesday Iowa State swept Texas Tech. Erin Boeve (Hills-Beaver Creek) had 12 kills for ISU.

D2
MSU Moorhead lost two tight games to St. Cloud State, then won the last three for a five game win. Melissa Henderson (Osseo) had 17 kills to lead MSU Moorhead. St. Cloud State lost their second five game match in a row.

NUMBER CRUNCHING
TOTAL POINTS
Mary Sussenguth, MSU Moorhead 21.5 vs St. Cloud State 3-2
Megan Norling, MSU Moorhead 20 vs St. Cloud State 3-2
Kayla Tschida, St. Cloud State 20 vs MSU Moorhead 2-3

Thanks to the readers for the help. If you have news, go to my profile and email me.

next up: later today.

Out & About: Minnesota/Illinois

#11 posting 10.13.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

ILLINOIS illini 3, MINNESOTA gophers 1
(30-25, 30-25, 19-30, 30-21)

Illinois, playing inspired volleyball, upset the #11 Gophers in Minneapolis. The Illini got to balls, controlled the action and had more quality attacks than the hometown heroines. Changes were made in the Gopher lineup, but nothing ever seemed to genuinely "click." Too many collisions on the court, too many off balance plays put the Illini in the drivers seat.

In game one, the Illini started off with nine straight first ball side outs (FBSO). For the entire first game Illinois checked in with a FBSO% of .809. Minnesota wasn't bad with a .714 (15/21) but the lack of offensive production on the serve took its toll.

Game two was up for grabs until Freshman Laura DeBruhler, who answered the call all night, served up four points after a side out breaking free from a 22-20 game. When she was done it was 27-21. The Gophers tried to inch back in as Katie Vatterodt, in for Brook Dieter, had a mini run to make it 29-25, but a block by Vicki Brown and Stephanie Alde ended the game.

After the break the Gophers played strong early with four straight FBSO and managed to get points off of three of their first five servers. A four point run by Hailey Cowles put Minnesota up 14-8 and the Gopher faithful were getting glimmers of hope. It was Lauren Gibbemeyer that put the Gophers on her back with two straight blocks to start Kelly Roysland's serve, plus a tip kill to put Minnesota up 19-11. All in all Gibbemeyer delivered seven points in the third game win. Illinois helped with three missed serves, including the final point.

In game four the Gophers led early 6-4 and led 12-10 later, but then the bottom dropped out. Illinois went on a 16-2 blitz with a four point run by Kristine Anderson and then a back breaking 10 point run on Amy Palash's serve. That deflated the little enthusiasm left in the Pavilion as Illinois led 26-14. The last three Illinois points came on DeBruhler kill shots off of the blocks Minnesota tried to put up.

More on the game from the Minnesota and Illinois sites.

Next up: stats to follow

MINNESOTA
1. Brook Dieter, OH (g1-2) 1-0/2-3----4.5
1. Katie Vatterodt, OH (g 2-4) 1-0/1-9----10.5
2. Lauren Gibbemeyer, MH 1-1/10-10----17
3. Rachel Hartmann, S 0-0/7-1---4.5
4. Hailey Cowles, DS 1-0-2----3
4fr Kyla Roehrig, OH 0-2/3-5----8.5
5. Christine Tan, L 1-0-0----1
5. Jessy Jones, MH 0-0/4-9----11
6. Kelly Roysland, DS 0-0-0----0
6fr Rachelle Hagerty, RH 0-0/3-9----10.5
6fr Kelly Schmidt RH 0-0-0----0
totals: 5-3/29-48---70.5

ILLINOIS
1 Lizzie Bazzetta, S 1-0/4-4----7
2 Laura DeBruhler, OH 1-0/1-24----25.5
3 Johannah Bangert, MH 1-0/2-9----11
4 Kristine Anderson, DS 1-0-0-----1
4fr Stefanie Alde, RH 0-0/1-4----4.5
5 Amy Palash, DS 0-0-1----1
5fr Nicole Kump, OH 0-0/3-5----6.5
6 Ashley Edinger, L 0-0-0----0
6fr Vicky Brown, MH 0-0/6-14----17
totals: 4-0/17-61----73.5

TRENCH PLAYER
Laura DeBruhler

BY THE NUMBERS
team, fbso/attempts; fbso%; points, %earned; %allowed
Minnesota 31/59; .525; 101, .698; .326
Illinois 33/59; .559; 109, .674; .302
Runs 3+: Minnesota 10, Illinois 9
missed serves: Minnesota 13, Illinois 12

ROTATIONS
MINNESOTA
1. Brook Dieter/Katie Vatterodt 19-14 .576
2. Laura Gibbemeyer 13-12 .520
3. Rachel Hartmann 14-16 .480
4. Hailey Cowles 20-21 .488
5. Christine Tan 16-29 .356
6. Kelly Roysland 19-16 .543
totals: 101-109 .481

ILLINOIS
1. Lizzie Bazzetta 20-21 .488
2. Laura DeBruhler 17-13 .567
3. Johannah Bangert 15-21 .417
4. Kristine Anderson 19-15 .559
5. Amy Palash 21-16 .568
6. Ashley Edinger 16-15 .516
totals: 109-101 .519

Minnesota altered their service order after game one. The rest of night Hailey Cowles rotation started the in the one position.
Illinois also altered their service order after game three with Kristine Anderson leading off.

Minnesota had the top rotation with Brook Dieter/Katie Vatterodt's rotation, but also had the lowest % in Christine Tan's.
Next up: tomorrow morning.

Out & About: Wisconsin/Minnesota

#5 posting 10.12.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

WISCONSIN badgers 3, MINNESOTA gophers 0
(30-28, 30-26, 30-25)

The #9 Wisconsin Badgers controlled the ball and therefore controlled the games in a sweep of #11 Minnesota. The ball control issue forced Minnesota to go left more often than not. The middles were taken out of the action early and they never did get rolling. The good news for Minnesota tonight was the return of Jessy Jones to the lineup after missing two contests last weekend.

The Gophers trailed late in game one 27-25 when Kyla Roehrig got a side out kill. On Hartmann's serve Roehrig added a block to tie it up. Jones then put down a kill to put the Gophers on the verge at 28-27. Wisconsin got the side out and then ran off the next two points to finish game one. That took some of the energy out of the Gophers and the crowd.

The key point in game two came when Wisconsin put together an 11-3 run in the middle of the game to make it 20-13. Wisconsin was on the verge at 29-22 when Minnesota made a four point run. The final point came on a Brook Dieter hitting error.

In game three Wisconsin raced out to a 9-3 lead. Minnesota did claw their way back into race to close to 17-16. But the Badgers passing put them in control. They finished with 7/8 first ball side outs.

You can read both schools views of the contest at the Minnesota and Wisconsin sites.

MINNESOTA
1. Christine Tan, L 0-0-0-----0
1fr Jessy Jones, MH 0-0/5-6----8.5
2. Kelly Roysland, DS 0-0-0-----0
2fr Rachelle Hagerty, RS 0-0/1-6---6.5
2fr Katie Vatterodt, RS 0-1/2-2-----4
3 Brook Dieter, OH 0-1/2-5----7
4 Lauren Gibbemeyer, MH 3-0/3-9----13.5
4br Christine Tan, L
5 Rachel Hartmann, S 0-0/4-3-----5
6 Hailey Cowles, DS 0-0-0-----0
6fr Kyla Roehrig, OH 0-2/1-15-----17.5
totals: 3-4/18-46----62 points, 17 points on Wisconsin errors

WISCONSIN
1 Jackie Simpson, S 1-1/3-1----4.5
2 Megan Mills, DS 2-0-1----3
2fr Allison Wack, OH 0-0/1-8----8.5
2fr Caity DuPont 0-0-1----1
3 Taylor Reineke, MH 1-1/3-8----11.5
4 Amanda Berkley 0-0-0-----0
4fr Katherine Dykstra 0-0/2-6---7
5 Brittney Dolgner, OH 2-0/3-22----25.5
6 Jocelyn Wack, L 1-0-0-----1
6fr Audra Jeffers 0-0/5-6---8.5
totals: 7-2/17-53-----70.5, 19.5 points on Minnesota errors

TRENCH PLAYER
Brittney Dolgner

BY THE NUMBERS
Minnesota 25/52, .481, 79, .785, .217
Wisconsin 32/51, .627, 90, .783, .215
3+ runs: Wisconsin 9, Minnesota 8
missed serves: Wisconsin 5, Minnesota 3

ROTATIONS
Tan 11-11 .500
Roysland 12-12 .500
Dieter 13-16 .448
Gibbemeyer 18-18 .500
Hartmann 11-21 .343
Cowles 14-12 .539
totals: 79-90 .467
Hartmann's rotation was off tonight. Minnesota won or tied four of the rotations.
Adjustments:
Minnesota started each game with Tan in the defensive first ball (Tan served first in game one). In game three Dieter's rotation was the first on defense.
Wisconsin moved Taylor Reineke from rotation 3 to 6 in game 2 and 3.

Next up: tomorrow

Border Battle Looms

#3 posting 10.11.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

BORDER BATTLE
Friday night the #9 Wisconsin Badgers come to the Pavilion. The 10 page Weekly Gopher Report previews that contest plus Illinois on Saturday.

Late Results
Grand Meadow topped Glenville-Emmons in five on Tuesday. From the Albert Lea Tribune.

NO REST
Burnsville has no matches off in the Lake Conference. From the Savage Pacer.

Thanks to the readers for the help. If you have news, go to my profile and email me.

next up: later tonight

Gophers Hold Off Ohio State

#5 posting 10.5.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

GOPHERS TOP OHIO STATE
The #11 Minnesota Gophers started their eastern road trip with a five game win over Ohio State. Minnesota led 2-0 when OSU started their rally. Kelly Schmidt replaced Jessy Jones in the line up and had 9 kills and 2 blocks.

LATE HIGH SCHOOL RESULTS
Eagan swept Burnsville on Tuesday. Eastview swept Rosemount. In the Battle of Lakeville it was North over South. Apple Valley snapped a three game losing streak with a sweep of Kennedy. Farmington split their games last week. All from the ThisWeek paper.

#1 Shakopee swept Holy Angels on Thursday. From the Shakopee Valley News.

NUMBER CRUNCHING
TOTAL POINTS
Kyla Roehrig, Minnesota 24.5 vs Ohio State 3-2
Danielle Meyer, Ohio State 24 vs Minnesota 2-3
Lauren Gibbemeyer, Minnesota 20 vs Ohio State 3-2

Thanks to the readers for the great help. If you have news, go to my profile and email me.

Next up: tomorrow

Out & About: Minnesota/Michigan

#3 posting 9.30.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

MINNESOTA gophers 3, MICHIGAN wolverines 0
(31-29, 31-29, 30-26)

The #12 Gophers remained unbeaten in Big 10 play, but lost middle Jessy Jones. The loss is the 3rd straight for #11 Michigan after they opened the season with 13 straight wins. It was a tight wire act for the Gophers in all three games. The Gophers' blocking game dominated with 18 total points off the net defense and Michigan scraping up 4. The Gophers also had a measure of revenge since the loss in Ann Arbor last fall.

The first game started off like gangbusters for the Maroon & Gold. On Rachel Hartmann's serve the Gophers ran off nine straight points. That run forced the Wolverines to call two time outs, one at 7-4, the other at 11-4. Finally Michigan was able to stop the bleeding with a side out kill by Draves. However that jump started Michigan's motor. On Stesha Selsky's serve the Wolverines added six points (4 on Gopher hitting errors) and then on Megan Bower's serve another five points. All in all it was a 12-1 run and Michigan was back in front. Minnesota used one time out at 11-11 and was able to get the side out after the break. The game then moved into the tight side out phase. The Gophers had five straight first ball side outs to force ties starting at 21. On Brook Dieter's serve Minnesota was on the verge at 27-25. Then three straight missed serves made it 28-27 MN. Katie Bruzdzinski added two points on her serve to lead 29-28. Roehrig put down a kill for the side out tie. On Hartmann's serve Jones and Roehrig put up blocks for the final points.

The second game was much better if you like side out games. On Michigan's first 12 servers, the Gophers notched 11 first ball side out kills. Michigan wasn't far behind at 9/11. Michigan had a little run of 11-5 to go up 24-20. During this time Jessy Jones went down with an ankle injury. Minnesota's first years Dieter and Gibbemeyer each had kills and Dieter an ace to put the Gophers down 26-25. Michigan took the time out and after the break Roehrig hit the ball wide. Michigan took another time out at 28-27 and was able to get the ball back after Kelly Schmidt was in the net. At 29-27 the gophers needed a side out and Roehrig provided a kill. Hartmann never gave the ball back. Schmidt had a block and overpass kill to put MN up 30-29. The final point came on a back row attack as Michigan's passing game broke down and setter Lexi Zimmerman tried to save the ball.

It seemed like Minnesota would cruise in game three after building up a 22-14 lead. However Selsky's serve continued to torment the Golden Gophers. She had added five points on her serve thanks to a couple of hitting errors to get the momentum back. Minnesota took time out at 22-18, but Michigan added two more after that. After a pair of side outs, Minnesota strung together three blocks right down the number line 7-6-5 (Schmidt, then Dieter, then Gibbemeyer). Then another three missed serve string resurfaced. That made it 27-23. Side outs dominated after that. The game wrapped up with a dump by Hartmann, so she was either at the line serving or scoring to finish each game.

photos: #1 Lauren Gibbemeyer goes up for a slide attack; #2 Jones leaving the match in the second game with an ankle injury. photos by kja

MINNESOTA
rotation, player, position, aces-blocks-kills---total points
1. Brooke Dieter, OH 1-1/0-3----5.0
2. Lauren Gibbemeyer, MH 1-1/2-11----14.0
3. Rachel Hartmann, S 1-0/1-6---7.5
4. Hailey Cowles, DS 0-0-0----0
4fr Kayla Roehrig, OH 0-3/5-15----20.5
5 Christine Tan, L 0-0-1----1
5fr Jessy Jones, MH (g1, 2) 0-1/5-2---5.5
5fr Kelly Schmidt, MH (g2, 3) 0-1/4-1---4.0
6 Kelly Roysland, DS 0-0-0----0
6fr Rochelle Hagerty, RH 0-0/4-5---7
6fr Katie Vatterodt, RH (g2) 0-0/1-0----0.5
totals: 3-7/22-44---65 points; 27 points on Michigan errors

MICHIGAN
1. Lexi Zimmerman, S 1-0-3---4.0
2. Katie Bruzdzinski, OH 0-0-16----16.0
3. Stesha Selsky, L 1-0-1----2
3fr Beth Karpiak, MH 0-1/1-3---4.5
4. Megan Bower, DS 2-0-0----2
4fr Sarah Draves, RH 0-0/2-9----10
5 Kerry Hance, DS 0-0-0----0
5fr Veronica Rood, OH 0-0/2-5----6.0
6 Lyndsay Miller, MH 1-0/1-10---11.5
6br Maggie Busch, DS 0-0-0----0
totals: 4-1/6-47----55 points, 29 points on Minnesota errors

TRENCH PLAYER
Kayla Roehrig

BY THE NUMBERS
team, fbso/att; %; total points; earned%; allowed%
Minnesota 31/48, .646, 92, .707; .345
Michigan 29/49, .592; .655; .293
3+ runs: Minnesota 10, Michigan 9
Missed Serves: Minnesota 10, Michigan 9

ROTATIONS
MINNESOTA
1. Dieter 23-16 .590
2. Gibbemeyer 14-14 .500
3. Hartmann 28-22 .560
4. Cowles 7-16 .304
5. Tan 11-9 .550
6. Roysland 9-7 .563
totals: 92-84 .523

MICHIGAN
1. Zimmerman 16-14 .533
2. Bruzdzinski 11-31 .262
3. Selsky 22-7 .759
4. Bower 16-11 .593
5. Hance 9-9 .500
6. Miller/Busch 9-20 .310
totals: 84-92 .477
It was the best & worst of times for the Wolverines. The 2nd rotation really took a hit, while the 3rd kept them in the contest.

Next up: more college reports

Gophers Sweep Hawkeyes

#2 posting 9.27.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

GOPHERS 3-0 IN BIG 10
The Minnesota Gophers continued their sweeps of the Big 10 with another shut out at Iowa. Middle Jessy Jones had another strong performance with 12 kills and a hand in five blocks.

D2
Former Marshall player and current UM Duluth player Sarah Wyffels had a strong homecoming on Tuesday when UMD swept SW MN State. From the Marshall Independent.

The Northern Sun named SW MN State's Erin Contons (Apple Valley), MSU Moorhead's Julie Vancura (Anoka) and Mary's Kendra Hobbs (Tartan) as athletes of the week.
Contons has won weekly honors 11 times in her career.

D3
The MIAC named their athletes of the week which include St. Thomas' Katie McCaffery (Fort Collins, CO), and St. Benedict's Beth Hanson (Bethlehem Academy).

#25 Carleton beat Hamline in four.

St. Benedict swept St. Olaf. St. Olaf's Kim Smisek (Northfield) had 18 kills to lead both teams.

Oshkosh swept LaCrosse. Katelyn Carlson (Rochester Mayo) had 15 kills for LaCrosse.

Superior beat Stout in four. It was Superior's first win in conference. Jenna Swanson (Hayfield) had 13 kills for Stout. Courtney Stach (Bertha-Hewitt) had 11 kills for Stout.

#3 Whitewater triumphed Platteville in four. Rebekah Nelson reached the 1000 kill mark for Whitewater.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Anoka Ramsey beat Riverland in four.

Hibbing beat Rainy River in four.

Ridgewater finished the first half of the conference season undefeated as they swept MN West. From the West Central Tribune and Worthington Daily Globe.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Megan Wiebe, NDSCS was named athlete of the week in the Mon-Dak community college conference. Wiebe is from Perham, MN. From the Wahpeton Daily News.

Thanks to the readers for the help. If you have news, go to my profile and email me.

next up: later this afternoon.

Out & About: Minnesota/Indiana

#5 posting 9.23.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

MINNESOTA gophers 3, INDIANA hoosiers 0
(32-30, 30-16, 30-21)

The Minnesota Gophers survived the first game, made some adjustments for game two, and then finished the sweep at home this afternoon. Indiana had just come off a five game win after losing the first two games against Iowa.

Indiana led early in game one 7-3 when Minnesota erupted for nine straight points, 8 on Christine Tan's serve. Two factors were emerging the brick wall blocking game for the Gophers with the first three points on Tan's serve on the block, and the first point in the run... a missed serve. In fact in the first five Indiana servers, four sided out for the Gophers with missed serves. Minnesota led 22-17 when resilient Indiana put together a 9-2 run to tie the game. Minnesota took a time out at 24-23, but Indiana kept up for one more point. Indiana led 27-26 on a side out kill. The Gophers edged forward 29-28 with a kill by Rachelle Hagerty and Rachel Hartmann. That forced a time out by Indiana. The Hoosiers got the side out and then was on the verge at 30-29 when Coach Hebert had to talk it over. That also turned the trick with a side out kill be Dieter. She then served out the next two points with two kills by Lauren Gibbemeyer.

Minnesota adjusted their rotation in game two with Hailey Cowles leading off the serving parade. Cowles was #4 in the first game. Again Minnesota had a huge run. This time it was Gibbemeyer doing the honors with 9 straight points. Again it started with a missed Indiana serve. Jessy Jones went to town with four points in the 10-0 run, three on blocks. Cowles also contributed a run of her own with six service points. Again it started with a missed Indiana serve. That put the game at 25-11 Minnesota. Appropriately enough this game ended on a missed Indiana serve. To show the quickness of this game only 10 servers came to the line. There were 18 and 16 in games two and three.

The huge runs were limited to four points in game three for Minnesota, and they only mustered three. But Jones was a constant in the runs. She had three straight points again on Gibbemeyer's serve to put Minnesota in the driver's chair 9-3. Jones had two points on Cowles serve later on and the Gophers were on their way with a 14-6 lead. Indiana got the time out and that stopped the run. Minnesota had five straight first ball side outs to start the game. That was the best string in game three. Indiana took another time out at 26-18. But it was a little too late to stem the tide. Minnesota ended the game with three straight points.

photos: #1 Dieter with an attack; #2 Gibbemeyer with a kill on a slide. you can see the ball has dropped down the Indiana side of the net. photos by kja

MINNESOTA
1. Brooke Dieter, OH 1-1-9----11
2. Lauren Gibbemeyer, MH 1-0/2-8----10
2. Kelly Fallon, DS (g3) 0-0-0----0
3. Rachel Hartmann, S 0-0/3-3---4.5
4. Hailey Cowles, DS 1-0-2----3
4fr Kayla Roehrig, OH 0-3/2-8----21
4 Katie Vatterodt, OH (g3) 0-0/2-0----1
5 Christine Tan, L 0-0-0----0
5fr Jessy Jones, MH 0-2/7-9----14.5
5fr Kelly Schmidt, MH 0-0-1----1
6 Kelly Roysland, DS 0-0-1-----1
6fr Rachelle Hagerty, RH 0-0/2-6---7
totals: 3-6/18-47----65 points, 27 points on Indiana errors

INDIANA
1. Mara Hilgenberg, S 0-0-3----3
2 Erica Short, OH 0-1/1-10----11.5
2br Morgan Miller, BR 0-0-0---0
3 Taylor Wittmer, MH 1-0/2-4---6
4 Lauren Ditteon, RH 0-0/1-7---7.5
5 Kelsey Hall, OH 1-0/1-12---13.5
6 Juli Pierce, L 0-1/1-8---9.5
6fr Ashley Benson, MH 0-1/1-8---9.5
totals: 3-2/6-44----52 points, 15 points on Minnesota errors

TRENCH PLAYER

Jessy Jones

BY THE NUMBERS
team, fbso/att; fbso%; points, %earned; %allowed
Minnesota 26/44; .591; 92; .707; .224
Indiana 24/44; .545; 67; .776; .293
3+ runs: Minnesota 9, Indiana 7
Missed serves: Indiana 14, Minnesota 5
The missed serves proved fatal to Indiana in game one.

ROTATIONS
MINNESOTA
1 Dieter 15-13 .536
2 Gibbemeyer 21-11 .656
3 Hartmann 6-11 .353
4 Cowles 21-7 .750
5 Tan 20-9 .690
6 Roysland 9-16 .360
totals: 92-67 .579

Minnesota started with Dieter on the defensive end in the first game (Indiana had first serve). In game two Cowles served first and in the third game, rotation four played defense first.

INDIANA
1 Hilgenberg 11-16 .407
2 Short/Miller 12-9 .571
3 Wittmer 13-12 .520
4 Ditteon 10-26 .278
5 Hall 8-17 .320
6 Pierce 13-12 .520
totals: 67-92 .421

Next up: tomorrow morning

Out & About: Minnesota/Purdue

#4 posting 9.21.2007
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

MINNESOTA gophers 3, PURDUE boilermakers 0
(30-26, 30-28, 30-25)

Minnesota opened the Big 10 season with a sweep win over Purdue. Here is the box.

Minnesota had a strong block game which forced Purdue to adjust off the net. The Gophers had five points in game one off the block. In fact of the last nine points, four were off the block. The Gophers had two straight Vangs (points scored on overpasses that drop to the floor) on points 12 and 13. Minnesota broke the first game open with a 5-1 run to go up 18-13. During this stretch Minnesota was stringing together a seven straight FBSO run. However Purdue balanced it out with a run of three (all on MN errors) to close to 18-16. On Roysland's third rotation MN went up 27-22. However the Gophers left the door a jar and Purdue barrelled their way through with four points. Even a time out at 27-24 didn't stop the run. Hartmann stopped the Purdue assault with a dump. It was her second straight attempt as her first was blocked. Brook Dieter served out with two block by Gibbemeyer and Roehrig to close.

Game two Minnesota raced to a 4-0 lead with Roysland leading off. Purdue, after the side out matched that on Kelli Miller's serve. The game broke Purdue's way on Gibbemeyer's second service rotation with a run of six on Anne Mastandrea's serve. Denita Merlau had two kills in the run. As it was Purdue was up 18-14 despite a MN time out. Minnesota had a four point run on a side out and three service points by Rachel Hartmann. Jessy Jones, and Kayla Roehrig each had two kills in the run. That tied the game at 18. Ten straight side outs later the game was still tied at 23. The game remained tied up to 27. Two Purdue errors put MN on the verge at 29-27. An overpass kill by Merlau gave a one point reprieve, but Gibbemeyer finished game two with a slide.

Game three was tight until Dieter's serve. MN went on a 9-2 run with two runs of four and three. Roehrig was hot during points 14-18 getting four kills and a block. MN's biggest lead was at 21-14. Purdue battled back with a three point run to close to 27-23. After that, three straight side outs finished the evening. It was appropriate Roehrig finished the night with a kill, her 19th of the night.

MINNESOTA
1. Brook Dieter, OH 0-1/0-12----13
2. Lauren Gibbemeyer, MH 1-1/3-10----13.5
3. Rachel Hartmann, S 0-0/4-1---3
4. Hailey Cowles, DS 1-0-0-----1
4fr Kayla Roehrig, OH 0-1/3-19----21.5
5 Christine Tan, L 0-0-0----0
5fr Jessy Jones, MH 0-0/4-7---9
6 Kelly Roysland, DS 1-0-1----2
6fr Katie Vatterodt, RH 0-0-2----2
totals: 3-10-52---65 points, 35 points on Purdue errors

PURDUE
1. Jessica Ullrich, DS 0-0-0---0
1fr Samantha Mader, OH 0-0/2-14----15
2. Kelli Miller, L 2-0-0----2
2fr Kristin Arthurs, MH 0-1/3-0----2.5
3. Denita Merlau, RH 0-0/2-15---16
4. Anne Mastandrea, DS 0-0-0-----0
4fr Carrie Gurnell, OH 0-1/2-5----7
5. Stephanie Lynch, MH 0-1/2-7----9
6. Sam Grey, S 0-0-1----1
6fr Jaclyn Hart, S 0-1/1-4---5.5
Totals: 2-10-46----58 points; 21 points on Minnesota errors

TRENCH PLAYER
Kayla Roehrig

BY THE NUMBERS
team, fbso/att; fbso%; points; earned%; allowed%
Minnesota 39/55; .709; 90; .722; .266
Purdue 31/54; .574; 79; .734; .389
3+runs: Minnesota 7, Purdue 6
missed serves: Minnesota 4, Purdue 9
longest fbso streak: Minnesota 7, Purdue 5
longest no fbso streak: Purdue 6, Minnesota 2

ROTATIONS
MINNESOTA
1. Dieter 16-10 .615
2. Gibbemeyer 15-18 .455
3. Hartmann 16-11 .593
4. Cowles 11-11 .500
5. Tan 11-13 .458
6. Roysland 21-16 .568
totals: 90-78 .536
When Purdue served first it was Dieter on defense first, Gibbemeyer the first server.
When Minnesota served first Roysland led off.

PURDUE
1.Ullrich 11-19 .367
2 Miller 16-12 .571
3 Merlau 10-13 .435
4 Mastandrea 15-14 .517
5 Lynch 14-16 .467
6 Gray 13-16 .448
Totals: 78-90 .464

The Gophers take on Indiana on Sunday afternoon.

Next up: tomorrow morning

Dieter Notches 20 Kills vs UWGB

#3 posting 9.15.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

SATURDAY RESULTS
HIGH SCHOOL
Today Minneapolis Henry traveled to St. Paul Academy's tournament and finished in 6th place. In pool play Henry faced the wrath of St. Anthony in game one 25-6, 25-14. With Minneapolis city rival Washburn they split 25-17; 22-25. Section rival Fridley won in two 25-14, 25-15 (but it really should have been 25-12. The split with Washburn put the Millers in the friendship game where the hosts from St. Paul Academy won in three games. Henry faced Trinity and let them off the hook in game one when the Patriots led 24-21. Five straight points handed the win to Trinity. They rode that momentum in game two for a 25-18 win.
In the championship it was Minnehaha vs. St. Anthony. They were still playing when we left the gym.

D1
The Gophers smashed UW Green Bay in a sweep. The highest point total UWGB had was 20 in the second game. Brook Dieter continues to pound out the kills with another 20.

D3
St. Benedict upset #25 UW Eau Claire 3-1 in St. Joseph in the CSB Holiday InnVitational.

FRIDAY NIGHT RESULTS
HIGH SCHOOL
Burnsville moved to 7-2 with a sweep of Moorhead. From the Savage Pacer.

Glenville-Emmons beat Grand Meadow in four in Southeast action. From the Albert Lea Tribune.

D3
Gustavus beat Bethany Lutheran 3-1 in nonconference action.

NUMBER CRUNCHING
DIGS
Heather Harnell, UW Eau Claire 28 vs St. Benedict 3-1
KILLS
Brook Dieter, Minnesota 20 vs UW Green Bay 3-0

Next up: tomorrow

Out & About: Minnesota/Charlotte

#4 posting 9.14.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

MINNESOTA gophers 3, CHARLOTTE 49ers 0
(30-16, 30-18, 30-20)

In the battle of the Cowles sisters it was Hailey's Gophers sweeping sister Courtney's 49ers in the Gopher Invitational. The family in the stands had special t-shirts made supporting both teams and the two sisters. But the Gophers had way more weapons of choice. From the left side Brook Dieter delivered 21 kills and cohort Kayla Roehrig added 12 more in a commanding performance. Plus the size advantage at the net forced Charlotte to take their attempts closer to the 10 foot line.

The Gophers established dominance right from the start with five straight points, four off of Dieter's serve. Four of those points were thanks to Roehrig. The Gopher side out game delivered seven straight side outs to close game one.

In game two the Gophers broke free from a 10 all tie on a 7-1 run, the last four points coming on Rachel Hartmann's serve. That forced a Charlotte time out, but it didn't change the momentum.

With the match seemingly in hand, the Gophers played a few more players in game three. Plus they started with rotation 4 on defense (Cowles). Minnesota raced to an 8-1 lead, six on Kelly Fallon's serve. Dieter had five kills in the run up.

In the personal battle of Hailey vs Courtney it was Hailey with a one point advantage. Both had an ace on the night, but Hailey had one dig that dropped for a kill late in game three. Hailey also out dug her sister 9-1.

More on the game at the Gopher site with box score

GOPHERS
1 Kelly Roysland, DS (g1, 2) 1-0-0----1
1br Kelly Fallon, DS (g3) 1-0-0----1
1fr Katie Vatterodt, RH (g1, 2) 0-0-4----4
1fr Rachelle Hagerty, RH (g2, 3) 0-0-2---2
2 Brooke Dieter, OH 1-0.5-21----22.5
2br Krista Chin, DS (g3) 0-0-0----0
3 Laruen Gibbemeyer, MH 0-1-6---7
3 Michelle Wilbur, Serve (g3) 0-0-0---0
3br Christine Tan, L
4 Rachel Hartmann, S 0-2-0----2
5 Hailey Cowles, DS 1-0-1----2
5fr Kyla Roehrig, OH 0-0.5-12----12.5
6 Christine Tan, L, 0-0-0----0
6fr Jessy Jones, MH (g1, 2) 0-1-4---5
6fr Kelly Schmidt, MH (g3) 0-0-1----1
totals: 4-6-51----61; 29 on Charlotte errors

CHARLOTTE
totals: 1-4-27----32 points; 22 on Minnesota errors

BY THE NUMERS
team, fbso/fbso att; fbso%; points; earned; allowed
Minnesota 31/42; .738; 90; .678; .407
Charlotte 19/41; .463, 54; .593; .322
3+ Runs: Minnesota 12, Charlotte 3
Missed Serves: Minnesota 9, Charlotte 10
Hitting Errors: Minnesota 13, Charlotte 24

ROTATIONS
GOPHERS
1. Roysland/Fallon 21-10 .677
2. Dieter/Chin 19-9 .679
3. Gibbemeyer 13-8 .619
4. Hartmann 12-8 .600
5. Cowles 14-8 .636
6. Tan 11-11 .500
totals: 90-54 .625

Tomorrow I will be at the St. Paul Academy tournament when it will be the battle of Miss Volleyballs with Kelly Roysland (2001) and Hailey Cowles (2006) for Minnesota facing UW Green Bay's Betty Slinger (2003). I will try to get to the late game against Creighton.

Next up: tomorrow morning

Gopher Tournament

#2 posting 9.14.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

GOPHER TOURNAMENT
The #13 Minnesota Gophers will host their second tournament this weekend with games against Charlotte tonight followed by two games on Saturday against UW Green Bay and Creighton.

The matches will feature Courtney Cowles (Eden Prairie) of Charlotte vs her sister Hailey; Betty Slinger (Bethlehem Academy) a former miss Volleyball 2003 and Leah Steinbauer (Medford) of UW Green Bay; and Allie Oelke (Chaska) of Creighton. Oelke's Chaska team won the state AAA title last year. Jessica Houts (Bloomington Kennedy) will not be playing in the tournament due to season ending ACL injury.

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next up: later today with more.

Gophers Learning Curve, CC Tournaments

#2 posting 9.10.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

GOPHERS IN CALIFORNIA
The Minnesota Daily looks at the learning curve for the Gophers after their California trip.

D2
The Marshall Independent recaps the SW MN State 3-0 win over Wayne State.

NAIA
Valley City won a pair of games at the Sioux Falls tournament with victories over the hosts in five and then another fiver vs Dana. There are a five Minnesotans on the VCSU roster.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Rochester won their own tournament on Saturday beating Fergus Falls in the final. From the Rochester Post Bulletin.
Ridgewater traveled to the Eastern Arizona tournament and finished 3-4. Many D1 and D2 Community College teams were at the event.

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next up: later today

Minnesota Triplets

#2 posting 9.4.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

MINNESOTA TRIPLETS
The three freshmen for the Gophers are already making an impact on the team. Hailey Cowles, Brook Dieter, and Lauren Gibbemeyer all are starting. Mike Max from WCCO TV has the report on the Minnesota Triplets. The video last 3:07.

One of the triplets...Brook Dieter was Big 10 player of the week, a rarity for a frosh.

The Gophers are now #12 in the national poll, dropping three spots. Penn State and Wisconsin, despite picking up losses this weekend, defied gravity and stayed at #3 and #10. Michigan jumped six spots to #14. Ohio State was not able to overcome gravity and fell seven spots to #20. Ohio, the team the Gophers lost to in five rocketed up 10 spots to #13.

The Minnesota Daily reviews the action from last weekend's Diet Coke Classic.

D2
The D2 polls are now out and Concordia St. Paul is #3, UM Duluth #4. SW MN State jumps 14 spots to #11. UN Omaha and Augustana are #16 and #17, while Wayne State is #23 and MN State Mankato is tied at #25.

The Marshall Independent reports on the SW MN State 3-1 loss to #2 UM Duluth in the Denver tournament.

The Winona State Winonan looks at the young Winona State volleyball team. This story is a bit late since the Flyer Festival happened last weekend.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Ridgewater finished 2-1 in their own tournament on Saturday. They beat Ellsworth, IA and Bismarck State. The loss came to Des Moines. From the West Central Tribune.

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next up: later tonight with some Tuesday results, some late results