The No. 1-ranked Gophers volleyball team opened its Big Ten conference season with a 3-1 victory over No. 20 Michigan at Maturi Pavilion, going 25-18, 25-18, 22-25, 25-8.
Alexis Hart, who posted 20 kills, and Stephanie Samedy, who had 13, led the Gophers (12-0, 1-0 Big Ten). Samantha Seliger-Swenson led Minnesota with 13 assists, and Miolly Lohman had 14 blocks.
Libero Dalianilz Rosado led the Gophers in both digs (18) and aces (3).
Carly Skojdt led the Wolverines (10-3,0-1) with 13 kills, with Cori Crocker adding 11.
Minnesota is now 54-15 all-time against the Wolverines, dating to 1975. Minnesota has gone 5-1 in the past five matches against Michigan, as it dropped a match in 2014 in Ann Arbor, Mich. Minnesota has won its last five Big Ten opening matches.
Up next for Gohers is Michigan State in a nationally televised game Sunday at home. Gophers-Spartans goes off at noon on ESPN.
Michigan State enters Big Ten play with a 7-2 record, as it canceled three matches, including one against Florida, due to Hurricane Irma. The Spartans lead the confernce in aces per set (1.82) and digs per set (16.82). Rachel Minarick has 218 assists and a Big Ten-best 14 aces.
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