Gophers move on in NCAA VB Tournament

(Lexington, KY) — The 15th-ranked Golden Gopher volleyball team overcame a sluggish outing to beat Western Kentucky yesterday in four sets in the opening round of the N-C-A-A Tournament in Lexington, Kentucky. Minnesota has to rally to win the first and the fourth sets, while controlling the second set, and dropping the third set. The Gophers trailed in the fourth set 17-12 at one point and also at 23-21. But, Minnesota scored the final four points of the fourth to win the match. Gopher junior outside hitter Julia Hanson of Savage led Minnesota with 13 kills and eight digs while senior Lydia Grote went for 12 kills and five digs. Senior setter Melani Shaffmaster paced the offense with 29 assists and added 15 digs. The Gophers will face the host Kentucky Wildcats tonight at 7 P-M with the winner advancing to next weekend’s Sweet 16. The 11th-rated Wildcats beat Cleveland State in three sets last night. Tonight’s match begins at 6 P-M.