Gophers

Gophers volleyball team heats up entering Saturday's rematch with No. 12 Purdue

The Boilermakers swept the Gophers last month, but Minnesota has had better results of late, while Purdue has stumbled.

By Rachel Blount

October 21, 2022 at 5:46PM

Gophers senior Naya Gros (8) made a play during the team’s three-set victory against Illinois at Maturi Pavilion last Saturday. (Elizabeth Flores, Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

After starting the season with a 6-5 record, the No. 9 Gophers are on the upswing, with victories in five of their past six matches. They hope to build on that Saturday against 12^th-ranked Purdue — and avenge the 3-0 loss the Boilermakers handed them in their Big Ten opener last month.

When: 8 p.m.

Where: Maturi Pavilion

TV: BTN

Last time out: The Gophers (11-6, 6-3 Big Ten) defeated Iowa 3-0 Wednesday in Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa. Taylor Landfair recorded a match-high 13 kills, leading the Gophers in that category for the 16^th consecutive match. Landfair and Naya Gros each contributed eight blocks in a stout defensive performance.

Purdue (15-4, 6-3) has been swept in its past two matches, falling to unranked Maryland and No. 3 Nebraska. The Boilermakers have lost three of four since starting the season 14-1. They are 4-1 on the road this season, but their record against ranked teams is 1-3, with their only victory coming over the Gophers on Sept. 23.

Big swings: Saturday's match features the two mightiest arms in the Big Ten. Purdue freshman Eva Hudson leads the league with 4.58 kills per set, while Landfair is right behind with 4.51.

In Purdue's sweep of the Gophers, Hudson had 21 kills to Landfair's 17. But Hudson was held to a season-low seven kills Wednesday in the Boilermakers' loss to Nebraska, and she has hit just .038 in the three recent defeats. Landfair has double-digit kills in every match this season with a hitting percentage of .260.

Swept away: The Gophers' past five matches all have been sweeps, with a loss to Ohio State tucked in between victories over Michigan, Michigan State, Illinois and Iowa. The four victories were highlighted by an efficient attack and fierce defense.

In those matches, the Gophers outhit opponents .354 to .128 and outblocked them 36-15. They have hit .300 or better in four of their past six matches, and their 14 blocks at Iowa were one short of their season best. The Gophers rank seventh in the nation in blocks per set (2.81).

about the writer

Rachel Blount

Reporter/Columnist

Rachel Blount is a sports reporter for the Minnesota Star Tribune who covers a variety of topics, including the Olympics, Wild, college sports and horse racing. She has written extensively about Minnesota's Olympic athletes and has covered pro and college hockey since joining the staff in 1990.