Gophers Sweep Indiana

#3 posting 10.13.2006
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Gophers 3, Indiana 0
(30-16, 30-24, 31-29)

Again here is the press releases from Minnesota and Indiana on the sweep tonight. The box is also up on the MN site.

MN looked strong in game one with 8 straight side outs after missing opportunities the first two Indiana serves. MN did get the first ball side out 10/14 times that game good for .714. The game broke open with Christine Tan's seven straight service points to take MN from 9-7 to 16-8. Indiana never had traction as they were only to generate three points off their serve in that stanza. Of the 16 Indiana points, 12 were via MN errors.

The second game had some characteristics of the first, but MN never had any big run to break the game open. In fact the biggest service run was Tan's to start the second game at 3-0. FBSO was just a tad less in the second game coming in at .706. MN led 24-20, but a side out and another point made it a 24-22 game. That was as close as it was going to be. But five service errors just gave the ball back gift wrapped.

It seemed that the Gophers were not as sharp or focused in the 3rd game. Indiana led early 3-0 and later on they rattled off four points on Gabrielle Allison's serve, but all four were on Gopher hitting errors. The siding out was off in this game as late in the game MN led 27-23. after a side out another hitting error cut the lead to 27-25. A dump by Hartmann gave the ball back to MN, but a confusing play which resulted in a replay negated what looked to be point 29 for MN. On the next serve Megan Crumpston missed and it was 28-26. The Gophers did get the side out, but couldn't finish the deal with Meredith Nelson's serve 29-27. Indiana's Juli Pierce was able to squeeze out two points on a hitting error, and again another hitting error. MN saw enough and put the starters/regulars back in to close out the game which they did in due course with kills by Roehrig and Jones.

It seemed the Gophers were coasting on fumes in game three, playing down to Indiana's level. Indiana did have a better block scheme in the last game, but I would think MN could see & recognize this fact.

NUMBER CRUNCHING
team, 1stso/serves--1stso%; pts scored, % earned, % allowed
Minnesota 33/48--.688; 91; .857; .400
Indiana 24/48---.500; 70; .600; .143
Minnesota earned their points, but they also were generous helping Indiana stay in the contest.

Rotations
1. Tan 20-11 +9
2. Peniata 19-14 +5
3. Bowman 17-11 +6
4. Crumpston 12-10 +2
5. Nelson 13-12 +1
6. Hartmann 9-11 -2
Tan's 7 points in game one went a long way to give rotation one the edge.

Also Viking Quarterback Brad Johnson was in attendance with his family.
Also no action on KARE 11 in their sports highlights.

Next up: tomorrow morning