After a run of three straight ranked opponents to start the season, the Minnesota Gophers volleyball team saw an unranked opponent for the first time on Wednesday night to finish up the Big Ten/SEC Challenge in Madison, Wis. A night after dropping a 3-1 match to No. 17 Florida, Minnesota bounced back with a victory against Auburn, winning 25-12, 21-25, 25-16 and 26-24. Outside hitter McKenna Wucherer tied a career-high 21 kills to lead the No. 11 Gophers. Outside hitter Kelly Kinney added 12 kills, while Stella Swenson had 38 assists. Libero Zeynep Palabiyik led the way with 15 digs. Minnesota had opened the season with a loss to No. 12 Arizona State and a win against No. 13 Creighton at the State Farm College Volleyball Showcase last weekend. Next up for the Gophers is their own home tournament, the Diet Coke Classic at the Maturi Pavilion. Minnesota faces Miami in the first match on Sept. 11 at 6 p.m. CDT and then plays St. Thomas on Sept. 13 at 1 p.m. Related Articles
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