The Gophers women's basketball team has suffered a big blow even before the games have begun.

Freshman forward Kayla Hirt will miss the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee.

The 6-2 Hirt also missed last season at Bemidji High School after tearing the ACL in her left knee. As a junior, she averaged 26.0 points and 14.1 rebounds to help the Lumberjacks to a 25-2 record and a berth in the Class 3A tournament.

"This injury was very disappointing not only for Kayla, but for the entire Gopher program, because she had worked so hard to come back," coach Pam Borton said in a statement. "She was at 100 percent and practicing extremely well. We have confidence that she will return to the court better than ever for next season."

U men's hockey moves up to No. 8Another week, another big leap for the Gophers in the men's hockey poll. The Gophers (4-0) moved up six spots to No. 8 in the latest United States College Hockey Online poll, released Monday. The jump came following their weekend WCHA sweep at Minnesota Duluth (1-3), which fell six spots to No. 15. The Gophers were ranked No. 19 in the preseason poll but moved up five spots after their two blowout, shutout victories over Sacred Heart to open the season. Michigan (4-0) became the third No. 1 in as many weeks, with Boston College falling to second after a home loss to third-ranked Denver on Friday. Colorado College and North Dakota rounded out the top five.

• The Gophers women's team moved up to No. 2 in the USCHO.com poll, one day after handing No. 1 Wisconsin its first loss of the season. The Gophers beat the Badgers 3-2 on Sunday in Madison, Wis., putting both teams' record at 5-1.

• The Gophers volleyball team remained at No. 14 in this week's American Volleyball Coaches Association poll following its five-set loss to Nebraska on Saturday at Williams Arena. The Cornhuskers moved up one spot to No. 4.

STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS