NCAA Women’s Volleyball: Gophers, Tommies both start in Minneapolis

A five-game winning streak late in the season was enough to earn the Gophers a top- seed nationally required to host the opening weekend in the NCAA women s volleyball tournament In the process they helped out St Thomas Minnesota is the No seed in its quadrant and will host first- and second-round action at Maturi Pavilion starting with a date Friday at p m against Fairfield That match will come after the conclusion of the other first-round matchup at the site at p m between fifth-seeded Iowa State and the Tommies St Thomas is making its inaugural Division I NCAA appearance in their first year of postseason eligibility after winning the Summit League Tournament crown The Gophers earning opening weekend hosting duties gave the committee a local site to put St Thomas in as well The winners of the two first-round matches will meet in the second round at p m Saturday back at the U with a spot in the Sweet on the line In the unlikely event the Tommies upset Iowa State it could set the stage for a rematch between St Thomas and the Gophers Minnesota won the first matchup - on Aug Pittsburgh is the No seed in St Thomas and Minnesota s regional and will host the Regional semifinals and final in Pennsylvania The Gophers who have struggled with an array of injuries this season were one of eight Big Ten teams to make it to the dance Minnesota was never in danger of missing the tournament but the strong finish which included a win over No Purdue on Wednesday was required to secure a weekend at home It s special to be able to bring the NCAA Tournament back in front of our fans at Maturi Pavilion Gophers coach Keegan Cook commented in a release It s a testament to the work the band has put in all season long Not a lot has gone to plan this year but being able to host the NCAA Tournament was definitely a goal of ours St Thomas junior Morgan Kealy and senior teammate Ella Voegele celebrate a point during their match success over South Dakota State in the Summit League championship match Nov in Brookings S D Dave Eggen Inertia Related Articles Gophers buzzing over Max Brosmer s first NFL start Men s hockey Javon Moore scores OT winner as Gophers top No Denver Gophers add quarterback and athlete to class after Axe win Gophers tighten grip on Paul Bunyan s Axe with - win over Wisconsin D football playoffs Bethel River Falls Saint John s all roll into third round