Gophers sophomore goaltender Amanda Leveille was named the WCHA defensive player of the week. She stopped 61 of 62 shots last weekend as the top-ranked Gophers swept Wisconsin 2-1 and 2-0 at Ridder Arena.

Leveille, of Kingston, Ontario, leads the conference with a 1.25 goals-against average and a .955 save percentage.

Senior forward Michelle Karvinen of North Dakota was chosen the offensive player of the week and defenseman Lara Stalder of Minnesota Duluth — the Gophers' road opponent this weekend — the rookie of the week.

U hosts No. 5 Michigan State in volleyball

The No. 10-ranked Gophers volleyball team will play No. 5 Michigan State at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Sports Pavilion. ESPN2 will televise the match live.

The Spartans, 17-1 overall, 6-0 in the Big Ten, are led by Lauren Wicinski who ranks second in the conference with 0.47 aces per set and third in kills with 4.29. Teammate Alexis Mathews leads the league with a .455 hitting percentage.

Senior middle blocker Tori Dixon of the Gophers is second in hitting in the Big Ten at .453 and in blocks at 1.45 per set and fourth in kills at 4.23.

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