The 2019 team struggled all season, replacing All-American setter
Samantha Seliger-Swensen (now playing with the
U.S. National Program) after 4 outstanding years with the Gophers,
and struggling through Kylie Miller‘s concussion.
Back-up setters Bayley McMenimen and Tamara Dolonga stepped
up with gutty performances in relief of Miller. The situation
demanded more of the other starters, more of the bench, especially
spectacular JC-transfer Airi Miyabe, and more of the coaching
staff than any time in McCutcheon’s 8 years at Minnesota.
Finishing tied for 2nd in the Big Ten (just one game out of 1 st ), and
making it to the Final Four (with a little luck when Regional Host
Texas lost to Louisville) was an amazing over-achievement!