Awoleye's career night leads Gophers to sweep of Maryland

After a dominant win over Indiana on Friday night , the Minnesota Gophers volleyball team had a block party on Saturday — led by Phoebe Awoleye — against Maryland to capture its second sweep of the weekend (25-21, 25-15, 25-18).

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The opening frame was back-and-forth, with each team battling and the score tied as late as 15-15. However, Minnesota's strong defense was the difference. After the Gophers took a late lead, Maryland surged back within one on a 3-0 run, but Minnesota responded with its own 3-0 run to take the first frame.

The Gophers out-blocked the Terps 6-2 in the set while hitting .265 to Maryland’s .143, and some of the plays were incredible.

The Terrapins took two of the first three points in the second stanza before the Gophers went on an 8-0 run to take control. Minnesota never looked back after that, cruising to a win.

The Maroon and Gold had a lopsided advantage in nearly every area during the set, out-blocking Maryland 7-0. Awoleye dominated all night but tied her career-high of 11 blocks just over midway through the frame. Minnesota also outhit the Terps .520 to .050.

The third set was easily Maryland’s best of the night thanks to a more efficient offense. The Terps hung right with Minnesota for the first half of the stanza, even holding a few slim leads. However, after a Gophers service error tied the score at 14, Minnesota pulled ahead and never let Maryland pull even again. The Gophers used a 7-1 run to put the Terrapins away and finish the weekend 2-0.

Awoleye led the Gophers defensively with a career-high 14 blocks, carrying Minnesota to a 19-2 edge in that area and tying the most ever (by an individual) in a single match at Maturi Pavilion; Zeynep Palabiyik had a team-high 11 digs; Melani Shaffmaster tallied a match-high 34 assists; and Lydia Grote and Julia Hanson each totaled 12 kills for the Gophers. Mckenna Wucherer, in her second match back, did a little of everything, recording six kills, eight digs and five blocks.

Minnesota (11-5, 4-2 in Big Ten play) is back in action next Friday at Rutgers. That match is set for a 6 p.m. start and will be broadcast on BTN+.