Going into this pandemic-delayed season, Hugh McCutcheon knew anything could happen. That didn't lessen his disappointment Wednesday, when the Gophers volleyball coach learned that Thursday's match at top-ranked Wisconsin would be postponed.
Gophers' volleyball match vs. No. 1 Wisconsin postponed because of COVID-19
The No. 4 U was set to play at No. 1 Wisconsin on Thursday. Sunday's match is still on.
March 18, 2021 at 1:10AM
With some Gophers players in a 17-day COVID protocol and others injured, McCutcheon said the roster would have been "pretty lean" for the match in Madison. He expects players in the COVID protocol to be available Sunday, when the fourth-ranked Gophers are scheduled to play the Badgers at Maturi Pavilion. While the Gophers must get clearance from the medical staff to compete Sunday, McCutcheon said it is "absolutely our intention" to play, and he also hopes to make up Thursday's match before the regular season ends April 3.
The match is the fifth this season to be bumped from the Gophers' schedule because of COVID-19. Positive tests in the Michigan program caused the postponement of a Feb. 26-27 series at Maturi Pavilion, and COVID issues with the Gophers postponed a March 5-6 series at Ohio State.
"It's safe to say, it's frustrating and atypical," McCutcheon said. "But we discussed at the beginning of the year that this thing wasn't going to be linear. It's just another bump in the road.
"The group was disappointed, I think, but they understand. And I think ultimately, they appreciate the concern for their safety and well-being. We're in a pandemic, and we're trying to manage a lot of variables. We'll hope to play on Sunday and get back in the saddle and go."
The Gophers (11-1) had just returned to action last weekend after a two-week pause in competition. They earned two home victories against Illinois in their first matches since splitting a series at No. 5 Nebraska on Feb. 19 and 21.
The latest postponement was announced late Wednesday afternoon. McCutcheon declined to say how many players were injured and how many were in the COVID protocol, but he said team medical personnel "deemed it unwise for us to compete" Thursday. The Gophers probably would not have had substitutes available, McCutcheon said, and some players would have had to play different positions than usual.
Middle blockers Shea Rubright, Katie Myers and Ellie Husemann did not play in either match against Illinois, and libero CC McGraw left Saturday's match after two sets. Outside hitter Airi Miyabe helped fill the void at middle blocker.
"As coaches, we want to get on the bus and go with whoever we've got," McCutcheon said. "But as much as we want to compete, we certainly respect the medical professionals' perspective that we're pushing the envelope a little too hard at this point."
Wednesday's news extended a long layoff for Wisconsin (10-0), which has not played since Feb. 21. The Badgers called off two home matches against Nebraska and two at Iowa when the program took a two-week COVID pause. Last weekend's series against Northwestern was postponed after the Wildcats had positive tests.
As of Thursday, 30 Big Ten matches had been postponed, reducing the schedule by about 26%. Northwestern has played only five of 16 matches, Michigan seven.
McCutcheon has discussed rescheduling all five of the Gophers' postponements, but it's a challenge to find times that work. There are no bye weeks in the 22-match regular season, and he does not want to overcrowd the schedule before the NCAA tournament starts April 13.
Rescheduling the Wisconsin match would be easiest because of geographical proximity, but even doing that is uncertain.
"It's a weird time," McCutcheon said. "Everyone is trying to do the best they can."
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