In this issue

Announcements

Point U!(betcha)

Upcoming Match Previews

Rankings

Coach’s Corner

From Coach Hebert:

So far, so good! We took care of Big Ten business at home by defeating both of the Indiana teams. The Purdue win was especially sweet, marking the 14^th win for the Gophers over the last 16 matches with the Boilermakers. Our record over Indiana over the past 22 matches is 19-3. You might remember that in 2003 we opened the Big Ten season on the road with the same two teams and came up 0-2. So I was relieved to put both matches in the win column.

I must apologize for backing out on the promise to entertain you all with a dance routine during the reception following the Indiana match. The staff was fully committed to doing it, but the player entertainment sub committee must have unraveled at the last second. They forgot the music and the whole thing seemed to run out of steam. This is probably for the best. Watching the staff dance would not have been a pretty sight.

Jessy Jones was recently named a team co-captain. She has played a major role in driving the team to play with some grit when we are pushed by our opponent. Her confidence level in this team is very high. And if her performance against Indiana is any indication, Jessy is headed for a great senior season.

Wednesday night will provide our first opportunity to play a conference match on the road. We’ve been a good conference road team over the past several years. But we’ll have to re-establish this reputation with this group of new players. It is never easy.

Should we win at Iowa, our first major conference showdown will be against Michigan next Sunday at the Pavilion. Michigan has been the talk of the Big Ten over the past few weeks and they have sky rocketed to their highest ever national ranking in school history at #10 in last week’s poll. Most observers are looking at this match to determine which of these two teams—Minnesota or Michigan—are for real. The winner probably remains in the top ten, while the loser will slip a few notches. More importantly, this will be a key match in identifying which of the two teams will keep pace with Penn State and Wisconsin in the race to finish in the top three in the conference.

Speaking of next Sunday, I hope all of you will bring your friends and neighbors to the Pavilion. The afternoon time slot did not work out very well last Sunday in terms of crowd size. But maybe we can overcome this “Sunday unfamiliarity” issue by beating the drum a little bit louder as the week goes on. Michigan will be a tough opponent and we can use the inspiration that a good Pavilion crowd always provides.

I hope you all will tune in to the Big Ten Network on Wednesday night to watch us against Iowa. I know, I know…where do you go to find the BTN? Check with the Golddigger website. There are viewing parties scheduled. Join in the fun!

Head Coach

Minnesota Volleyball

From the Golddiggers’ President

From Larry Mickelson:

Just returned from the Indiana match and reception. Changed out of long pants into short pants and feel much more comfortable! I thought we were done with this heat!

The Big 10 season has begun and there was an air of anticipation about the Pavilion from both players and fans. The “pre-season” is over – let the games (matches) begin! While it was fun to see Stanford, Ohio, and San Diego along with Creighton, Green Bay, and Charlotte and the MN players they brought, emotions seem to run a little higher when the familiar Big 10 rivals visit. Matches take on a little more urgency as you know these “really” count. I hope the season will bring out fans and Golddiggers we have yet to see at the Pav.

As many of you know, my wife, Janette, and I were accorded the privilege of sitting behind the bench for the Purdue match. Outside of the coaches continually standing in our line of vision (Down in front! Hey, a little courtesy here, please!) the experience was outstanding. The game moves a little faster, the emotions a little more apparent, and crowd noise a little louder than when we watch a game in our usual seats in row 15. You pick up a little more when you are so close to the action such as Kelly Schmidt’s reaction when the Purdue player served the ball under the net and more of the constant instruction and adjustments made on the court. Another benefit of being an “Associate Coach” for the evening was the pre-match meeting. It was interesting that most of the meeting was focused on the mental aspect of the upcoming match – if you get up don’t let complacency set in, if you fall behind fight like mad dogs, and when you get close to the winning points of a game close the door. Very little focused on the “X’s” and “O’s”. Very insightful stuff.

When the match was over and they returned to the locker room they acted very much like girls in their teens and early 20’s, which, of course, they are. That’s when it hit me. These are outstanding young women who play a sport at the highest level and who allow us to be entertained as they compete. We are very fortunate to have these women on the MN team which we enjoy watching and associating with. On behalf of the Golddiggers, I say to these young women – THANK YOU!

Late addition – went to the viewing party at Sally’s Saloon on Wednesday. It is estimated that 150 people showed up (which I think was more than actually attended the match) which was triple the number they were expecting. Good fun to cheer on the Gophers with fellow Golddiggers and fans.

Point U!

Larry Mickelson, President, Golddiggers

Meet the Gophers

Kyla Roehrig is a junior for the Gophers, normally playing the left side (outside hitter) on the court. We sat down with her (well, we sent some e-mails).

Note: Photos courtesy of the University of Minnesota (although we didn’t actually ask for permission).

You were named captain to start the season but resigned the position. How did you feel when you were named captain? Why did you resign the position?

When I was named captain I felt honored that the coaches gave me that honor. I resigned from this position because I wanted to clean my slate and start fresh. The beginning of the season wasn’t a great start and Jessy deserves this title.

As one of the “seasoned veterans” on the team. What words of advice did you/do you give the new players?

Live each day to the fullest.

You seem to have very good matches against Nebraska and, most recently, against Creighton, and matches in Nebraska. Do you get more excited to play Nebraska or in Nebraska?

Its not that I get excited it’s more of revenge. I played with and against most of the girls in high school and club from Nebraska and Creighton and it’s that excitement to show them as in the coaches, players, and town what I can do now

Given your success mentioned above, if MN faces Nebraska in the 2008 championship at Qwest Center in Omaha, can we expect a monster match from you? J

You BET you will!

What have been your favorite moments as a Gopher thus far?

Traveling to Europe was my favorite!

How good can this team be? What do you feel the team needs to improve upon as the year progresses?

This team can be NATIONAL CHAMPION. Just playing together will help build strength.

Do you treat Kelly Roysland as a senior or a freshman?

SENIOR she is such an impact that helps us out. She is always ready to learn something new and she gives her all every game/practice.

Re: the true freshman – does the team have any rites of passage they must go thru such as carrying the luggage, shagging balls, etc?

During away trips freshman and sophomores depending on how many there are they have to carry the video equipment. Nothing too out of the ordinary.

What was it about MN that led to your decision to be a Golden Gopher?

I wanted to go to a big city and be some what close to home. When I came on my visit we actually were watching my sister play basketball at William Arena and all the girls came to the game. I felt like I was at home.

What is your major?

I am majoring in business marketing and education. I’m not sure what I am going to do with it but I know for sure I don’t want anything in education.

OK, now we get personal!!

If I didn’t play volleyball I would… Be going to school and working at Target

When I need to relax I… I would color

My favorite food is… Chicken

The movie I could watch again and again is… It takes two

As you are originally from Nebraska your previous perception of a gopher was:

A wily varmint to be admired and feared!

X A pest which needed to be taught a lesson but I have now learned that they are really a wily varmint to be admired and feared!

Not bad if you sauté them with onions but I have now learned that they are really a wily varmint to be admired and feared!

What people don’t know about me is… I took dance for 8 years

Announcements

Merchandise
Merchandise which was ordered during the first go around should be available at the Michigan match. We also had a number of orders come in this past weekend. The jacket Betty had at the reception looked fabulous and I cannot wait to receive mine!

Thanks to Betty Cipperly for organizing the merchandise program!!!!

+ + +

Receptions

We will be holding a Golddigger reception after the Michigan match on Sunday. If you see one of DuAnn’s Angels please thank them for all they do!

+ + +

U of MN Men’s Volleyball Club match!

The U of MN Men’s Volleyball Club will be playing on Sunday 45 minutes after the women’s team is done. Hopefully, some of us will be able to stick around after the reception to root the men’s team on to victory.

+ + +

Wisconsin Road Trip

We are working on putting together a road trip to Wisconsin to watch the Gophers take on Wisconsin in the final Big 10 match of the season. We will go down on the morning of Saturday, November 24^th, and return following the match. Pick up time and place have yet to be determined.

Cost is $45 for Golddiggers which includes the bus trip and ticket to the match. Non-Golddiggers are also welcome. Their cost is $50 which includes the trip and ticket to the match.

Join us as we try to fill two coach buses of Gopher fans to watch the Gophers beat Bucky Badger!

See JT or Larry for more details. There was also a flyer and registration form included in your membership packet.

+ + +

Chalk Talks

The always popular Chalk Talks featuring Associate Head Coach Scott Swanson are tentatively scheduled for the Williams Arena Club Room on the following dates:

Friday, October 12th Prior to the Wisconsin match, 5:30-6:15 PM

Friday, October 26th Prior to the Penn State match, 5:30-6:15 PM

Saturday, November 17th Prior to the Northwestern match 5:30-6:15 PM

These are great opportunities to find out what the team’s strategy will be for that night. Very good stuff!

Please note: You will need to enter thru the Daily Entrance area along University Ave. You will need your ticket to get into the Pav, into Williams’ Arena, AND back into the Pav. Be sure to keep your ticket with you at all times.

+ + +

We would very much like to hear from YOU! Former Gophers, out-of-town members, Hollywood celebrities -- whomever -- please email us at the address below, let us know what you are up to, pass on suggestions or questions for the Point U!(betcha), or hammer the coaching staff for their time-out usage -- it’s up to you. The coaching staff has also generously offered to answer questions submitted to them through this newsletter. We look forward to all your input.

Point U!(betcha)

Gophers who are in the top 10, statistically, in the Big 10 (all games):

Brook Dieter – 4^th in kills (4.59/game), 2^nd in points (5.30/game)

Jess Jones (who? JESS JONES!) – 1^st in blocks with 1.67/game

Rachel Hartmann – 4^th in assists (12.80/game)

Future Gophers

Prepvolleyball.com has completed their Senior Aces rankings. These rankings are based upon interviews and rankings from various college coaches around the country. Last week we told you that Jessica Granquist, defensive specialist/outside hitter from Blaine, who has orally committed to play at MN next year, was ranked #100.

This week we found out that Ariana Filho, 6’2” middle blocker from Monument, CO, was ranked #24 and Alex Blatt, 5’11” setter from Orland Park, IL, was ranked #22.

Also, it was announced this week that Ashley Suapai, libero from Bloomington Kennedy, will attend MN in 2008.

Congrats to all and can’t wait to see them in the maroon and gold!

Upcoming Match Previews

Iowa

Minnesota swept Iowa on Wednesday evening by scores of 30-24, 30-17, 32-30.

Michigan

Michigan got a taste of reality last week as they squeaked out a five game match at home vs. Illinois and swept by Wisconsin. The close win combined with the loss dropped Michigan out of the top 10 this week.

Michigan continues be led by seniors OH Katie Bruzdzinski and libero Stesha Selsky, who is Michigan’s all time digs leader, and freshman setter, Lexi Zimmerman, who is the Big 10 leader in assists. In the Illinois match Katie B. recorded her 1,500 kill.

Michigan is outhitting their opponents this year .259 to .177 but is being outblocked 112.0 to 127.5. By contrast, the Gophers are hitting .254 vs. .130 for their opponents and outblocking their opponents 146.0 to 81.5 going into the Iowa match.

The key will be to contain Bruzdzinski, who leads the Big 10 in service aces and is 9^th in kills. They will also need to find a way to get the ball past Selsky who leads the conference in digs.

Rankings

Rank School (1st-Place Votes) 2007 Record

1 Nebraska (55) 10-0

2 Stanford (5) 12-0

3 Penn State 10-2

4 Southern California 12-0

5 UCLA 12-1

6 Florida 11-0

7 Texas 6-3

8 Washington 13-0

9 Wisconsin 10-1

10 California 10-2

11 Michigan 13-1

12 Minnesota 9-3

13 Hawai’i 10-3

14 Duke 8-3

15 San Diego 9-4

16 Dayton 15-0

17 Ohio 10-3

18 Kansas State 11-3

19 St. John’s 17-2

20 Cal Poly 8-6

21 Oregon 12-2

22 LSU 11-2

23 BYU 8-4

24 New Mexico State 11-3

25 Oklahoma 11-2

Others Receiving Votes and appearing on two or more ballots: Middle Tennessee 55; Colorado State

49; Ohio State 46; Sacramento State 38; Missouri State 36; UNLV 35; Long Beach State 29; Pepperdine

24; Arizona 15; Louisville 12; Iowa State 11; Wichita State 10; Tulane 8.

Five schools were listed on only one ballot for a total of 16 points.

Dropped out: Ohio State (23)

National Update

A quick look at the AVCA’s top ten ranked teams (excluding the Big10 schools):

Nebraska – The Cornhuskers remain undefeated at 10-0 as they dispatched Texas A&M (affectionately known as TAMU) on Saturday in 3 games. Nebraska out hit TAMU .350 to .124. Nebraska swept Kansas at Kansas on Wednesday (Sept. 26^th) and hosts Baylor this Saturday.

Stanford – Stanford took the ferry across the Bay to take on rival and travel partner, Cal. Stanford beat Cal 3-1 in tightly contested games. In fact, tied 1-1 it looked bleak for Stanford as Cal led 28-22 but Stanford rallied to win that game 32-30 and then closed on the deal in game 4. The Cardinal remains undefeated at 12-0 and they host the valley girls from southern California, USC and UCLA, this weekend. Should be some great matches!

Penn State – see below

USC – Southern Cal stayed home this weekend and hosted Arizona State and Arizona, beating both to move to 12-0 on the season. However, Arizona threw a scare into the Trojans as the Wildcats went up 2-1 before falling in five games. USC faces as stern test this weekend as they leave the friendly confines of Galen Center for only the second weekend this season as they travel up US 101 to San Francisco and take on Stanford and Cal.

UCLA – UCLA also hosted the Arizona this weekend as they also beat both Arizona and Arizona State. Not sure if the Arizona match was a great defensive match or just sloppy as the two teams combined for 28.5 blocks and 37 unforced hitting error in a four game match. UCLA hit .210 on the night despite game 4 in which they hit .400 as a team. UCLA swept ASU the following evening. UCLA also travels up US 101 this weekend to take on Stanford and Cal. Great time to be a college volleyball fan in San Fran this weekend!

Florida – Florida passed a tough test this past weekend as they beat #22 LSU in four games to move to 11-0 on the season. Senior MB Kisya Killingsworth passed the 1,000 career kill mark during the match. Earlier in the weekend the Gators swept Mississippi and now travel to Mississippi State and Alabama this weekend.

Texas – Texas finally got 2006 Big 12 Freshman of Year, Ashley Engle, back into the line-up. Engle recorded 15 kills in Wednesday’s 3-1 victory over Texas Tech. Destinee Hooker must have liked having Engle back as she exploded for 21 kills while hitting .500 on the night. Next up for the 7-3 Longhorns is Colorado in Austin.

Washington – Washington survived a five game scare from Oregon on Friday after losing the first two games. The Huskies were led by senior OH Stevie Mussie who had 27 kills for the match. Washington followed up that close win with a sweep of Oregon the following night in which they hit a whopping .446 for the match to remain undefeated at 13-0.

Wisconsin – see below

California – California used a 4 game loss to Stanford to climb into the #10 slot (I know, only in the Pac 10 can you lose and rise in the rankings). The Golden Bears won the first match and were up 28-22 in the 3^rd game before allowing Stanford to roar back to win game 3 32-30. Cal fell behind early in game 4 before making a late surge to fall 30-25. Cal now stands at 10-2 and plays host to both USC and UCLA this weekend.

Big10 Update

The standings (as of Sep 24, 2007):

                        Conference  Games           Overall   Games

  Institution               W-L    For Opp   Pct      W-L    For Opp   Pct

  -----------               ---    --- ---   ---      ---    --- ---   ---

  WIS.................      2-0      6   1 1.000     10-1     32   6  .909

  PSU.................      2-0      6   0 1.000     10-2     32  10  .833

  MINN................      2-0      6   0 1.000      9-3     30  11  .750

  MICH................      1-1      3   5  .500     13-1     39  12  .929

  NU..................      1-1      3   5  .500     10-3     31  13  .769

  IND.................      1-1      3   5  .500     10-4     30  21  .714

  OSU.................      1-1      5   3  .500      7-4     25  12  .636

  PUR.................      1-1      3   3  .500      8-5     27  21  .615

  ILL.................      0-2      3   6  .000      8-4     31  15  .667

  MSU.................      0-2      0   6  .000      9-5     29  18  .643

  IOWA................      0-2      2   6  .000      8-5     30  20  .615

2007 conference statistics are at: http://bigten.cstv.com/sports/w-volley/stats/2007-2008/confstat.html

Last week’s results (home team in bold):

September 19 Wisconsin 3, Illinois 1

September 21              Michigan 3,        Illinois 2
                                    Indiana 3,            Iowa 2
                                    Penn State 3,     Michigan State 0
                                    Minnesota 3,      Purdue 0
                                    Northwestern 3,   Ohio State 2

September 22              Penn State 3,     Northwestern 0
                                    Purdue 3,            Iowa 0
                                    Wisconsin 3,       Michigan 0

September 23 Minnesota 3, Indiana 0
Ohio State 3, Michigan State 0

This week’s matches:

Wed	09/26/07	Minnesota @ Iowa	Iowa City, IA
Fri	09/28/07	Illinois @ Michigan State	East Lansing, Mich.
		Ohio State @ Purdue	West Lafayette, Ind.