MINNEAPOLIS — No. 2 seed Minnesota did the expected Saturday.
The Gophers volleyball team advanced to the regional semifinals of the NCAA tournament with its second consecutive sweep, this time a 25-23, 25-13, 25-21 win over the Marquette Golden Eagles on Saturday at the Sports Pavilion.
Minnesota (28-4) will now face Illinois (21-12) in the regional semifinals on Friday in Des Moines, Iowa.
Minnesota's offense started out strong and held a six-point lead in the first set, but the Golden Eagles (22-12) came back to push the score to 24-23. Minnesota squeaked out a 25-23 set win, recording 15 kills and three attack errors to Marquette's 15 kills and seven attack errors.
"I think it was just another example of the resilience that this group's developed over the course of the season," Minnesota coach Hugh McCutcheon said. "I think it speaks to our group's ability to manage the moment and be able to play at their best when their best is needed."
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Minnesota cruised to a 25-13 victory in the second set after starting out with eight straight points.
The Gophers forced the Golden Eagles out of its system for the majority of the set, capitalizing on a -.053 Marquette attack percentage that included 13 attack errors.
Thanks to 10 kills, four by senior outside hitter Daly Santana, and just one attack error, Minnesota clinched the second set handily.
Golden Eagles setter Sara Blasier said Minnesota's aggressive offense kept Marquette off balance.
"They did a really good job getting digs that were right up to target and then they were able to run their fast offense to every single hitter, which was very hard to block and defend," Blasier said.
Marquette battled in the third set, starting with three straight points. The Gophers answered with five points of their own to take the early lead.
Despite seven tie scores and a 21-20 Marquette lead late, Minnesota recorded five straight points to clinch the set 25-21 and finish out the sweep.
Minnesota edged the Golden Eagles in the third set with a .093 attack percentage, its lowest of the night, on 15 kills and 10 errors.
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Gophers junior outside hitter Sarah Wilhite, who recorded six kills in the match, said staying calm even while trailing late in the first and third sets was key for Minnesota.
