Month: June 2022

As part of the Strib’s celebration of the 50th anniversary of Title IX, they selected the 50 greatest Minnesota H.S. girl athletes – based solely on their H.S. accomplishments. (Lindsey Whalen, for example, does not make the list.)

In addition to obvious choices like Janet Karvonen, Paige Bueckers and Natalie Darwitz, the list includes 5 volleyball players: Annie Adamczak (who, in 1981-2 led Moose Lake to State Championships in volleyball, basketball and softball), Sydney Hilley (a major reason for the Badgers recent success), Kennedi Orr, our beloved Samantha Seliger-Swenson, and 2010-2013 Gopher star Ashley Wittman.

I couldn’t argue with any of these names, but I could add some: definitely Chaska’s Amanda Rome, and probably Fosston’s Kelly Roysland (better known for basketball) and Eden Prairie’s Sarah Willhite.

Reader D.S. notes that former Gopher Adanna Rollins, who left the Gophs for Penn State, has now left Penn State to play her final year for Kentucky.

John: Rollins is a decent player, but I don’t think we’ll miss her this year, with the overload of talent at Left-Side. But let’s wish her success at Kentucky.

Reader G.H. looks forward to an interesting pre-season,  and congratulations Coach McCutcheon for lining up all the quality teams to play at the PAV. Enhanced ticket revenue for sure.

Reader R.A brings my attention to the fact that the Gophs recently added another transfer setter, Miranda Wucherer, a graduate transfer from Northern Kentucky (one season of collegiate eligibility remaining). Wucherer made the All-Horizon League First Team as a junior in 2020-21, ranking fifth in the nation in triple doubles (kills, assists, digs).

If the name sounds familiar, that’s because Miranda is the older sister of incoming Gophers freshman Mckenna Wucherer (the number 1 recruit in the country). R.A. wonders why? Is Miranda coming for the academics? She’s here to compete with Shaffmaster for starting setter?  Are we going to a 6-2? My guess is she wants to play with her sister. I also suspect she will compete with Elise McGhee, our junior-setter-transfer from Kansas, for the role of back-up setter.

NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

As has been consistently true in the McCutcheon Era, the Gophers will be playing a rugged pre-BigTen schedule: This rugged schedule can result in a lower early-season, national rating than a cream-puff schedule might, but it helps prepare the Gophs to compete in the toughest conference in the country. And reflects a commitment to being competitive at the national level.

Four wins and four losses in these 8 matches would indicate that the 2022 Gophers are a strong team. Six & two would suggest they might be a Final Four Team.

AUG 26    BAYLOR  (at TCU)

AUG 27    TCU   (at TCU)

AUG 31   TEXAS  (at Texas)

SEP 4    FLORIDA @ The PAV

SEP 9    OREGON @ The PAV

SEP 10   STANFORD @ The PAV

SEP 15   PEPPERDINE @ The PAV

SEP 17    WASHINGTON STATE @ The PAV

Game times and television networks are still to be determined. Information on tickets will be available at a later date.