Gopher volleyball fights for NCAA hosting bid as regular season ends

In Minneapolis, as November comes to a close, the University of Minnesota's Gopher volleyball team is facing critical matches that will determine their postseason fate. The team is in the midst of concluding their regular season, grappling with the challenge of securing a hosting opportunity for the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament. A victory against both Illinois and Ohio State is essential for the Gophers, who are eager to host these rounds at the Maturi Pavilion next week. This marks a significant shift from last year when they failed to secure a similar opportunity following a downturn in their rankings. Recently, the Gophers celebrated a successful match after securing a 3-0 win against Iowa on Sunday. This victory is seen as vital momentum as they prepare to face off against a competitive Illinois team, which is also vying for a postseason berth. The Gophers are specifically focusing on fine-tuning their skills, addressing aspects such as serving accuracy and out-of-system plays. The upcoming home match against Ohio State will hold additional significance as they pay tribute to their five senior players: Phoebe Awoleye, Skylar Gray, Lydia Grote, Elise McGhie, and Melani Shaffmaster. The impact of these seniors has been profound, with Awoleye being among the top blockers in the country, Shaffmaster amassing an impressive 4,953 career assists, and Grote recently being drafted by the Orlando Valkyries, highlighting their aspirations in professional volleyball. The hosting of the first weekend of the NCAA tournament is no small feat; it is contingent on the NCAA committee's determination of the top 16 seeds. These seeds are selected based on a complex evaluation of rankings, head-to-head results, significant wins within the top 10, overall strength of schedule, and the rating percentage index. As noted in their mid-season rankings released in October, Minnesota was positioned in the 16th place, but their continued performance over the past few weeks has been fraught with challenges, including missed opportunities in matches against Oregon and Wisconsin. Entering the final stretch of the season, the Gophers are aware that their placement in the tournament bracket is precarious. With their current ranking of 28th in the RPI, they find themselves on the bubble between making the postseason and being left out. Key player Julia Hanson is central to the team's strategy, showcasing consistency with an impressive average of 3.92 kills per set and maintaining a streak of at least 10 kills in the last 11 matches. While their blocking has notably improved since the previous season, the outcome of their decisive matches against Illinois and Ohio State will ultimately dictate their chances of hosting NCAA tournament games at home.