Marquee Season-Opening Tournament for Gopher Volleyball Brings Hometown Minnesota Star, McKenna Wucherer

Former Chaska Standout Headlines Opening Weekend Roster at New Maturi Pavilion

The Gophers volleyball team, ranked No. 12 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association, officially opened its season in front of a sold-out crowd at their new home arena, the Maturi Pavilion. Fans and alumni gathered at the University of Minnesota's state-of-the-art facility to witness the team's first matches of the 2023 campaign.

Hometown Hero Draws National Interest to Campus

Among the star players on the Gophers roster this season is McKenna Wucherer, a Chaska native who has garnered national attention for her exceptional talent on the court. The 6'4" middle blocker was a standout for her hometown team, leading them to three consecutive state championships. She was named Minnesota's Ms. Volleyball in 2019 and was a key contributor to the U.S. Youth National Team that won a silver medal at the 2019 FIVB Volleyball Girls' U18 World Championship.

Wucherer's impact on the Gophers was immediate. In the team's season-opening match against the University of San Diego, she recorded 10 kills on a .529 hitting percentage, adding three blocks and an ace. Her performance helped Minnesota secure a 3-1 victory.

Gophers Look to Make Statement in Competitive Conference

The Gophers will face several high-profile opponents in the Big Ten Conference this season, including No. 3 Wisconsin and No. 7 Penn State. Head coach Hugh McCutcheon, in his 17th season at the helm, will rely on a balanced attack led by Wucherer, along with other talented players such as senior outside hitter Arica Davis and sophomore libero CC McGraw.

Local Star Inspires Community

Wucherer's success has not only impacted the Gophers volleyball program but has also served as an inspiration to young athletes in her hometown of Chaska. Her journey from local standout to Big Ten star has shown that hard work and dedication can lead to great things.

The Gophers will continue their season with a home match against the University of North Dakota on Thursday, September 1st. The team will then hit the road for a pair of matches against UC Irvine and Pepperdine before returning home to face No. 1 Texas on September 10th.