Gophers Volleyball Opens Camp for 2022 Season

Volleyball | 8/10/2022 9:55:00 AM

The Minnesota Golden Gophers Volleyball program stepped back on the floor for the first time this fall on Tuesday, Aug. 9 after reporting to camp on Monday morning. On the ‘U’s report day on Monday, the team went through a series of meetings with department staff before capping off the afternoon with media day activities, including a photo shoot, video shoot and interview sessions.

Head coach Hugh McCutcheon enters the 11th year of his tenure at Minnesota with a talented team that holds lofty goals in 2022. Minnesota went 23-9 (15-5 Big Ten) in 2021, tying for third in the Big Ten regular season standings. The Gophers earned the No. 12 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament and defeated South Dakota, Stanford and Baylor before falling in the Regional Finals. Redshirt senior Stephanie Samedy had a historic season, earning her fourth AVCA First Team All-America honor and second straight Big Ten Player of the Year award. Senior libero CC McGraw was AVCA All-America Honorable Mention and First Team All-Big Ten while sophomore outside Jenna Wenaas had a breakout season, making Second Team All-Big Ten.

Minnesota will begin 2022 on Friday, Aug. 26 against Baylor in a rematch of the five-set 2021 Sweet 16 battle. In addition to McGraw and Wenaas, Minnesota returns starting outside Taylor Landfair, defensive specialist Rachel Kilkelly and middle blocker Ellie Husemann, amongst others. The Gophers also added another top-10 recruiting class, including No. 1 overall player Mckenna Wucherer (outside, Brookfield, Wis.), Colorado Gatorade Player of the Year Carter Booth (middle, Denver, Colo.) and Star Tribune Player of the Year Julia Hanson (outside, Prior Lake, Minn.). The Gophers added transfer middle blockers Naya Gros (grad transfer, Michigan State) and Arica Davis (sophomore, Ohio State) in addition to setters Elise McGhie (junior, Kansas) and Miranda Wucherer (grad transfer, Northern Kentucky).

Under McCutcheon, the Gophers have made it to four Sweet 16’s, three Final Four’s and two Elite Eight’s in 10 years. He holds a 255-65 (.800) collegiate coaching record and has led Minnesota to two Big Ten Championships. He feels like his 2022 team could be one of his most talented yet.