I suppose the Hawaii Trip is fun for the team (they’re missing out on our Hockey Tournament Blizzard), and maybe good for recruiting, but it’s disappointing for fans who wanted to watch — no broadcast, or even a match summary on the official website. But fortunately for GOPHERVBALLROCKS readers, Special Correspondent R.A. stayed up for the 11:00 p.m. start of the live stream of last night’s match.
R.A.’s report: The Rainbow Wahini are perennially strong, making this a good win, especially as the Gophers fought back from 1-2 after a bad Set 3 loss. It’s not like Hawaii could claim jet lag. While only seeing live stats isn’t ideal, several things interested me about last night’s match vs Hawaii. It gradually occurred to me Coach Cook was experimenting with his personnel:
- Junior Skylar Gray (Maple Grove) played Libero, and seemed to struggle. (Reigning Big Ten Defensive Kylie Murr did not play.)
- Julia Hansen started the last three sets, got 7 kills, and seemed to get a trial as the designated server.
- Landfair only played three sets, presumably to leave court time to others, and didn’t do much with her 30 chances (.167).
- Wooker didn’t find her footing in three sets (hitting errors, serving errors, receiving errors, but came alive, to combine with Crowl, to turn things around in sets 4 & 5, and led with 15 kills. Whew!
- Crowl was solid in limited time, with 9 kills and a .381.
- As was Davis, 5 kills, 4 blocks, and .571. As much as I miss Booth, it was good to see solid middle play.
Another match at 11 tonight for those willing to stay up.
ADDITIONAL SPRING MATCHES ANNOUNCED
- March 25 (time?) North Dakota State at the Pav (free)
- April 4 (presumably evening) Athletes Unlimited at the Pav (not free).
- April 22 Kansas State at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa.
ANOTHER MIDDLE IN THE MIX
I had previously pleaded for the Gophs to find another Middle in the Portal, especially one with a little more height, and it looks like they did, slightly. I didn’t notice the announcement, but the roster now includes 6-2 Senior Phoebe Awoleye
Awoleye played her freshman and sophomore seasons for the University of Georgia, and her junior year at Loyola Marymount. (But counting the covid-bonus, she ought to have 2 years of eligibility left.)
- Awoleye made the SEC All-Freshman Team in 2020.
- In her 2nd season, she racked up 171 kills, (with a .309 hitting percentage), and 122 total blocks, fifth in total blocks in the SEC.
- At LMU, her 221 kills (.379) and 114.5 blocks earned her First Team All-WCC honors.
DAUGHTER TESSA OUT-COACHED
This isn’t V-ball related, but it’s a cute story. Tessa and son Ethan both coach their 8 yr-old sons on rival Park Board basketball teams. Naturally. both claim to be the better coach. But last Saturday, though winning, Tessa was definitely out-classed. The opposing coach was Cheryl Reeve; Tessa has yet to win a single WNBA title.