Minnesota sports fans might want a pick-me-up after Thursday’s discouraging Vikings loss.
Saturday’s big Gopher-Badger showdown might do the trick.
No, we’re not talking about football. This showdown happens at the volleyball net in the U of M’s Sports Pavilion, where every seat was full for the Gophers come-from-behind victory over top-ranked Nebraska Wednesday night.
Second-ranked Minnesota lost the first two sets to the defending national champs and they were nearly swept before coming back to nudge the Cornhuskers in five sets.
Last night's intense 🖐 sets by the numbers. 👇 pic.twitter.com/AFA4y8VAcv
— Minnesota Volleyball (@GopherVBall) November 24, 2016
The 25 digs by Sarah Wilhite were a career high for the senior from Eden Prairie.
It was only the second loss of the season for Nebraska. The win keeps Minnesota undefeated at home and strengthens their claim to the top seed in the national championship tourney.
But of course that depends on beating Wisconsin – currently ranked third in the country – in Saturday’s big showdown.
Think they’ll chop down the net with an axe if they win?
Yes, #Gophers. Last night did happen.
Watch @HannahTapp put an end to one of the many rallies. 👇https://t.co/YJfMfGgrbR
— Minnesota Volleyball (@GopherVBall) November 24, 2016
The bracket for the NCAA volleyball tournament will be unveiled on Sunday night.
By the way, the Division II tournament begins on Dec. 1 with Concordia of St. Paul hosting a regional that also includes UMD, Winona State, and Southwest Minnesota State.
