It’ll be a late Thursday night for volleyball fans as the Gophers don’t play their Final Four game against Stanford until 8:30 p.m. local time, although it’ll be 9:30 p.m. when they begin play in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
If you plan on watching the showdown of national volleyball powers, you’ll have to make sure you have access to the only place it is being televised: ESPN. It’s the second game of the night, with Baylor and Wisconsin meeting in the other national semifinal at 6 p.m.
Click on either link below for access to live stats during the games.
- No. 1 Baylor vs. No. 4 Wisconsin | 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19 | ESPN
- No. 3 Stanford vs. No. 7 Minnesota | 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19 | ESPN
The Gophers upset Stanford 3-1 when the Cardinal were ranked No. 1 in the nation on Sept. 14. Minnesota has not faced Baylor and lost twice to Wisconsin during the regular season.
Minnesota is looking for redemption failing to reach the Final Four in Minneapolis a year ago, having lost on their home court to 15-seed Oregon. This year’s dream season nearly came crashing down in the second round as they trailed Creighton 24-22 in the fourth set, only to rally for the set and eventual match win.
The Gophers then escaped against Florida in the Sweet 16 and rocked Louisville in the Elite 8 for a spot in the Final Four.
This is Minnesota’s sixth appearance in the Final Four, including third in the last five years. Their only appearance in the National Championship was in 2004 where they lost to Stanford.
