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Young Gophers ‘Swinging for Everything’ in Sweet 16
Minnesota relies on a core of freshmen to overcome injuries and challenge top-seeded Pittsburgh's strong block and star player Olivia Babcock in the NCAA Sweet 16.
- On Thursday night, the Minnesota Golden Gophers travel to face top-seeded Pittsburgh in the Sweet 16 at 6 p.m. on ESPN2 after sweeping Fairfield and Iowa State at Maturi Pavilion.
- Season-Ending injuries to McKenna Wucherer, Zeynep Palabiyik, Calissa Minatee and Alex Acevedo forced freshmen including Kelly Kinney into major roles, while Cook's first recruiting class has grown on the court.
- Minnesota's attack hit.386 against Iowa State, with freshman Kelly Kinney averaging 12 kills over seven matches, and Jordan Taylor posting five blocks in each tournament match.
- Slowing Olivia Babcock and breaking down Pittsburgh's block will be decisive in Thursday's matchup, as Babcock is coming off a 24-kill,.370 performance with eight digs, and Cook said Minnesota must play with urgency to meet the Pittsburgh Panthers' Final Four aspiration.
- The freshmen core appears to be peaking at the right time in the NCAA Tournament as Keegan Cook's first true recruiting class has learned and grown on the court this season.
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NCAA volleyball: Young Gophers ‘swinging for everything’ in Sweet 16
The Gophers will need to play with a sense of urgency when they travel to Pittsburgh to take on the top-seeded Panthers in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA volleyball tournament on Thursday night, head coach Keegan Cook said. The fourth-ranked Panthers (28-4, 18-2 ACC) are itching to get back to the Final Four, and the Gophers’ coach told his young team they must “meet that mentality.” Minnesota Gophers outside hitter Kelly Kinney (33) volleys the ball …
·Saint Paul, United States
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Ten (maybe 11) players to watch at NCAA volleyball tournament's Sweet 16
The NCAA volleyball tournament is down to its final 16 teams, and Olivia Babcock, Rebekah Allick and Logan Lednicky are among the players who will help determine who makes the cut to the final four.
·United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources11
Leaning Left1Leaning Right4Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Right
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Right
50% Right
13%
C 37%
R 50%
Factuality
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