GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) --- The Green Bay volleyball team is traveling to its fourth and final tournament of the regular season this week, the Gopher Fall Classic. The Phoenix will have a tough slate, facing #7 ranked Minnesota on Thursday and Kansas State on Friday at the Maturi Pavilion in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

"We have just two more matches to grow, learn and improve before Horizon League play," said head coach Abbey Sutherland. "Minnesota and Kansas State are high-level teams, and therefore, we are raising the bar to play high-level volleyball on a more consistent basis."

"We have already faced many challenges this season, and we welcome more, as we know that's what pushes us to be better," she added. "Each time our ladies are on the court together, our staff reminds them that they need to constantly fight to become more unified. Every single point is an opportunity to improve. We believe in the mindset of this group, and we look forward to the opportunity to compete with grit."

The Phoenix will face hosts #7 Minnesota at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday night, then have ample time to rest and recover before taking on Kansas State 24 hours later at 7:00 p.m. on Friday evening.

Schedule
Thursday, September 13
vs. #1 Minnesota @ 7:00 p.m.
Friday, September 14
vs. Kansas State @ 7:00 p.m.
 
Media
The Minnesota vs. Green Bay match can be watched on BTN . Live stats and live tweets will be available for fans to follow along with each match.

#7 Minnesota | Stats | Watch 

Kansas State | Stats 

The live stats and video links can also be found on the Green Bay Phoenix volleyball schedule page. In addition, to view live tweets, follow @GBPhoenixvb.
 
Opponent Outlook

Minnesota currently is ranked #7 out of all NCAA Division I volleyball teams, meaning that the Gophers are perhaps the toughest team that the Phoenix will go up against all season. Green Bay last saw Minnesota two years ago, falling in straight sets to the third-ranked team in 2016.

The Gophers have a 5-2 record so far this season, and going into last weekend, they were seeded first in the nation with five straight wins. However, they fell to both #18 Oregon and #4 Stanford in four sets, breaking their streak. Green Bay will need to be on the lookout for Minnesota's blockers, two of which have recorded more total blocks than our present number-one blocker.

Kansas State is also a formidable opponent, besting Green Bay in straight sets in both recorded meetings back in 2014 and 2015. This year, the Big 12 members boast a record of 9-1 with a seven-straight win streak, only allowing Marquette to take them in straight sets. The Phoenix will be looking to be the first to cause a Wildcat loss in some time, but like with the Gophers, they're going to need to get around Kansas State's blockers, three of which have more total blocks than our number-one.

Last Weekend Recap

The Phoenix own an even record of 5-5 after finishing runner-up last weekend at the Sycamore Invitational hosted by Indiana State. They bested both Central Michigan and Saint Louis 3-0, but were unable to hold on against the host team in the fifth set of their match with Green Bay.

Sophomore Taylor Wolf and junior Maddie Yoss were nominated to the Sycamore Invitational All-Tournament team following their performances at the tournament, while senior Vanessa Buman was named Horizon League Defensive Player of the Week. 
 
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