Gopher volleyball's Friday match against Rutgers canceled
The University of Minnesota volleyball team opens the fall 2021 season against Baylor Friday night in the Big 10/Big 12 Challenge. ((credit: University of Minnesota Athletics))
MINNEAPOLIS - The University of Minnesota volleyball team announced Thursday that its Friday night match against Rutgers at Maturi Pavilion has been canceled due to non-COVID-19 related illnesses with the Scarlet Knights.
Team officials said the decision was based on guidance from the Rutgers medical staff. The Gophers will win the game by forfeit, and improve to 13-4 in Big Ten play as Wisconsin comes to Minneapolis on Sunday. The Gophers will host Senior Day against the No. 5-ranked Badgers in the final regular season home match for four seniors – Bayley McMenimen, Airi Miyabe, Katie Myers and Stephanie Samedy.
"I think it’s a great way for our fans to show their appreciation for all of these people who have committed to the program over their careers. I think it’s a great thing," Gophers coach Hugh McCutcheon said.
Sunday's match will be played in front of a sellout crowd at Maturi Pavilion. Minnesota will enter the game after having a six match win streak snapped after a 3-1 loss to No. 9-ranked Purdue last Sunday.
Fans who had tickets to Friday night’s match are encouraged to use them at one of the following weekend events:
- Friday at 6 p.m. - Men's Basketball vs. Purdue Fort Wayne at Williams Arena
- Friday at 7 p.m. - Men's Hockey vs. Penn State at 3M Arena at Mariucci
- Saturday at 3 p.m. - Women's Hockey vs. St. Cloud State at Ridder Arena
- Saturday at 7 p.m. - Wrestling vs. Oklahoma State at Maturi Pavilion
- Saturday at 8 p.m. - Men's Hockey vs. Penn State at 3M Arena at Mariucci
Fans should bring their tickets to be scanned, and ushers will direct fans to designated seating areas at Williams Arena, 3M at Mariucci Arena, Ridder Arena or Maturi Pavilion for Saturday's wrestling match.
Counting the forfeit win over Rutgers, the Gophers' volleyball team is 18-7 on the season and 13-4 in Big Ten play, a half game behind Wisconsin and Nebraska for the Big Ten lead. The Gophers also have matches at Penn State and at Maryland to close out the regular season before getting ready for the NCAA Tournament. It'll be a packed house on Sunday against a rival, with Big Ten title implications on the line for both teams.
"Sounds pretty good. We’ll see what happens and go from there. It’s nice that there’s something on the line, and it’s nice that there will be a lot of fans there regardless just to send off our seniors the right way," McCutcheon said.