The Gophers dropped the 1st set at Purdue (25-20), and the 3rd set (26-24). But, led as usual by Samedy, recovered both times, winning the 2nd set (25-23), the 4th set (25-21) and dominating the 5th set (15-7). Wife Maureen, perhaps not quite as tuned-in to the fine points of D-1 V-Ball, but every bit as much of a fan (she stands up for game point, in the living room) was both tense and distraught, “What is wrong with us tonight?”
The easy answer is – Purdue is a very good team; 13th ranked this year, and a “Sweet 16” team last year. Yes, they lost 3-0 at Madison, but they were without their best player, Grace Cleveland, at Madison. Cleveland was back in the line-up tonight and gave the Gophers fits.
The other news of the evening was the loss of Gopher star libero C.C.McGraw. Purdue won the 3rd set on a service ace that McGraw dove for but didn’t get. She did not come out for the 4th set, and was later shown leaving the building in the company of someone from the coaching staff. I assume she was headed for a local hospital, related to some sort of injury acquired on her last play. I’m doubtful we’ll see her tomorrow.
In McGraw’s absence, talented Defensive Specialist Rachel Kilkelly moved to libero, and freshman Left-side hitter Jenna Wenaas came in to play D.S. At 6-1 and powerfully built, Wenaas looks an odd choice for a D.S.. But Wenaas, though previously unable to crack the Goph’s starting line-up, was after all the 3rd ranked recruit in the country. A high school star, I’m assuming Wenaas was accustomed to playing 6 rotations, so she is hardly unfamiliar with back-row play.
And sophomore Shea Rubright, herself a highly-rated recruit last year, replaced Katie Myers as one of the Middles in sets 4 & 5. Not sure if Myers also got hurt, or if Coach McCutcheon was unhappy with her play. Either way, Kilkelly, Wenaas & Rubright all contributed to the Gophers’ set 4 – 5 comeback, underscoring reader D.S.’s comment about the Gopher’s depth.
Wenaas playing D.S also raises a question I’ve been planning to address. In an earlier piece gushing about this year’s #1-in-the-country freshman class, I mentioned Shaffmaster, Landfair, Wenaas and Cami Appiani, a libero out of San Diego. But Appiani is not on the current roster. It appears that by the time she graduated H.S. last spring, American V-Ball had been shut down due to the pandemic, so Appiani spent her summer playing in Europe. I haven’t been able to figure out where she is now. Still in Europe, maybe? Playing for another U.S. college team? Still planning to join the Gophs next fall? If anyone reading this knows where she is and what her plans are, please let us know.
I have more to say about the Gophers performance tonight – but I’ll save it until we see how they do in tomorrow’s rematch. (4:00, BTN+)