In this issue

Announcements

Teams in the Sub-Regional

National Rankings

National Update

Big Ten Update

Lot’s O’ Links

Contact Us

Coach’s Corner

Dear Golddiggers:’

Here you go…

It never gets old…playing in the NCAA Tournament. It is an athlete’s dream. It is what every coach strives for. It is what the fans enjoy more than any other time of year. And here we are once again, preparing for our first round match. But this time we are at HOME!!!! It will be our privilege to take the floor in front of the best fans in the universe.

And we approach the NCAA’s with a head of steam. Our last four wins without Brook Dieter have given us a sense of “team” that will supply confidence when we face the tough moments in a match. We know that we can win in a variety of ways and with a variety of lineups. In Brook’s absence we have been using a committee of three players to pick up the slack in her position…Hailey Cowles, Pam Luiz, and Katie Vatterrodt. All have excelled. Ari Filho and Ashley Suapaia played like veterans in our win against Iowa. And the win against Michigan State required everyone’s best effort.

Brook’s ankle is healing, but she is still doubtful for the weekend. Whether or not she is cleared to play will most likely be a game time decision.

As usual, the road to the Sweet Sixteen will be difficult. NDSU will ride into Minneapolis on the back of a 19 match winning streak. They have not lost since September 13! Mark my words…this is a good team that is playing with great confidence.

And should we squeak by the Bison, the winner of the Northern Iowa vs. Iowa State match will be waiting for us. Both of these teams are solid and well coached. The Saturday night match, should we qualify for it, will be extremely competitive. I would rank it as a toss up.

And finally, I sure hope all of you will find your way to the Pavilion this weekend. We will need your strong, supportive voices more than ever. Let’s fill the arena and show our visitors what home court advantage is all about!

Go Gophers!

From Coach Hebert:

Head Coach – Minnesota Volleyball

From the Golddiggers’ President

From Larry Mickelson:

FINALLY!!!! A NCAA tournament match where it should be – at the Pav. One more opportunity for us to cheer on our favorite team.

I must admit that when I saw Wisconsin-Milwaukee being sent to Illinois I thought “Here we go again”. But, thankfully, Northern Iowa made the tournament and provided the tournament another area team which could drive to Minneapolis. It is unfortunate that tournament match ups are determined more by geographical location than by merit but that’s life in NCAA volleyball.

We will see familiar faces when the Gophers take on the Bison of North Dakota State. Former Gopher assistant coach Dave Manka is now an assistant coach for NDSU and the Bison have four players from MN on their roster. NDSU is a solid team and the Gophers will need to be ready to play on Friday night.

Friday’s first match between Northern Iowa and Iowa State could be a good match as well. I recall the last time UNI was in MN for a tournament match was in 2003 when they played UC-Santa Barbara. UNI won that match in a 5 game (that’s what they were called then) classic with UNI winning game 5 16-14. The match lasted 2 hours and 15 minutes and I can still see the Gopher players outside their locker room watching and waiting for the match to end. Besides a trip down memory lane I tell the story to remind you that there will be some great volleyball played before the Gophers take the court. Ironically, when MN hosted the sub-regional in 2003 the opening matches were played on …… wait for it….. Friday, December 5^th! And the Gophers went to the final four that year. Let’s hope history repeats once again!

I hope can make both matches but we need you for the Gopher match in full voice! There will be plenty of UNI, ISU, and NDSU fans in attendance and the team will need all of us. So rest up, save your voice, and be ready to cheer the Gophers into the Sweet Sixteen!

See you at the PAV!

Point U!

Larry Mickelson, President, Golddiggers

Announcements

RECEPTIONS

We will be holding a post-match reception on Saturday evening following the match. The reception will be held in the Williams Arena Club Room as the Pav Club Room is unavailable. The reception will be held regardless of Friday’s outcome. If you have not been contacted by DuAnn and would like to bring something for the reception please e-mail Larry or JT.

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FORMER PRESIDENT UPDATE

Past Golddigger president and former colonel in the Army, John Oravis, is working for a private contractor and is now in Afghanistan. We wish John a safe stay during his twelve month commitment and a safe return.

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Also, 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.

Teams in the Minnesota Sub-Regional

North Dakota State University

Nickname: Bison

Coach: Erich Hinterstocker (3^rd season)

Record: 24-3 overall; 16-0 in Summit League (regular season and tournament champions); 0-1 vs. tournament teams (Tulane)

This is NDSU’s 43^rd volleyball season but they became a Division 1 program only 5 years ago. They spend their first three years at the D1 level as an independent before joining the Summit League in 2007. 2008 marks their first year in the NCAA D1 tournament.

There are plenty of Minnesota ties for the Bison – sisters Kelly and Jennifer Lopez of Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton, Chrissie Knuth of Champlin Park, Mattie Johnson of Lakeville, and Kristen Hille of Sauk Rapids-Rice. Also, former Gopher assistant coach Dave Manka is on the NDSU staff.

Freshman Chrissie Knuth was named the Summit League’s Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year. Kelly Lopez was the Defensive Player of the Year with Eric Hinterstocker was the league’s Coach of the Year.

Interesting note: Jennifer Lopez was named MN Miss Volleyball in 2007.

University of Northern Iowa

Nickname: Panthers

Coach: Bobbie Peterson (7^th season)

Record: 25-8 overall; 13-6 in Missouri Valley Conference (3^rd place in conference, runner up in tournament); 4-6 vs. tournament teams (beat Clemson, Iowa State, Liberty, Missouri State; lost to Kansas State, Wichita State [twice], Missouri State [twice], St. Louis)

This is UNI’s third straight tournament appearance and 14^th overall although the first time as an at large entry. The previous thirteen appearances were the result of winning their conference tournament. The Panthers played in MN during the 2003 sub-regional where they beat UC-Santa Barbara in five and lost to MN in four.

The Panthers most likely secured their bid when they beat Creighton in the MVC tournament in five set match. However, they were unable to keep the momentum going as they lost in three to red-hot Missouri State.

Seniors Ashten Stelken (MB) and Amy Sampson (OH) were named MVC first team all conference. Freshmen Michelle Burow (MB) and Bre Payton (setter) were named to the conference’s all freshmen team. Both players are red-shirt freshmen.

Senior Amy Sampson played at Champlin Park.

Interesting note: MN Miss Volleyball for 2008, Amy Braun of Lakeville North, is headed to the University of Northern Iowa.

Iowa State University

Nickname: Cyclones

Coach: Christy Johnson (4^th season)

Record: 19-12 overall; 13-9 in Big 12 conference (4^th); 3-7 vs. tournament teams (beat Florida International, Kansas State [twice]; lost to Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Middle Tennessee State, Northern Iowa, Texas [twice], Nebraska [twice])

This is also ISU’s third straight appearance and fourth overall. They will be looking to avenge an early season loss to Northern Iowa. Most likely made the tournament based upon the two wins over Kansas State.

Sophomore Ashley Mass was named the Big 12 libero of the year with sophomore Victoria Henson and junior Kaylee Manns being named to the Big 12 all conference first team. Rachel Hockaday was named to the Big 12 all freshmen team.

Junior MB Diane Kieger played at Mounds View HS.

National Rankings

Week of December 1, 2008

Rank	School (First-Place Votes)	Total Points	2008 Record	Last Week
1	Penn State (60)	1500	32-0	1
2	Stanford	1436	26-3	2
3	Texas	1374	25-3	3
4	Nebraska	1309	27-2	4
5	Washington	1273	24-4	5
6	Hawai'i	1181	28-3	6
7	Oregon	1106	23-8	8
8	California	1088	23-6	7
9	UCLA	995	20-10	10
10	Minnesota	925	26-6	12
11	Florida	826	25-3	14
12	Southern California	810	16-11	11
13	Wichita State	741	29-1	9
14	Illinois	719	24-7	15
15	San Diego	687	23-4	16
16	Kansas State	621	24-7	13
17	Purdue	493	24-8	18
18	Utah	431	24-5	21
19	Michigan	399	24-8	20
20	Kentucky	369	26-5	17
21	Saint Louis	334	28-4	22
22	Colorado State	244	22-6	19
23	Pepperdine	156	20-7	23
24	Long Beach State	115	25-5	NR
25	San Francisco	102	23-7	24

Others Receiving Votes and appearing on two or more ballots: New Mexico State 72; Tulane 71; St. Mary's (Ca.) 41; Santa Clara 22; Tennessee 14; UAB 13; Texas A&M 9; Western Kentucky 8; North Carolina 7; Cincinnati 2