MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) --- The Green Bay women's volleyball team (5-6) began its final tournament before Horizon League play this evening at the Gopher Fall Classic, facing #7 Minnesota (6-2) but being unable to stop the ranked Big 10 team.
 
Minnesota 3, Green Bay 0
Despite the loss, the Phoenix were gritty through and through, particularly in the beginning half of each set (25-18, 25-15, 25-22). The third set was the biggest battle, with eight tie scores and five lead changes. Green Bay never gave up though, even after being down two sets. Their underdog energy shone throughout the game, even forcing the Gophers to call a timeout after a 3-0 run. Their highest scoring streak was, again, at the beginning of the set, exploding out of the gates with a 6-1 head start.
 
In the end, it was Minnesota's continuous attacks that gave them the match, with the Gophers coming away with a .248 hitting percentage compared to Green Bay's .119. While the Phoenix had a similar number of attempts – 118 to Minnesota's 121 – they just could not make them count.
 
This did not mean that Green Bay's defense wasn't putting up a fight: in fact, their efforts may have been the better portion of the match. In the face of the Phoenix's toughest opponents of the season thus far, they stayed somewhat consistent with the Gopher defense. Senior Vanessa Buman scooped up a whopping 18 digs, a season-high in three sets, to lead both teams and also keep the team alive.
 
Meanwhile, sophomore Anna Eaton was the top blocker for the second game in a row. She put up four total blocks, with one block solo in the midst of it, to tie a Gopher for match leader. The Phoenix earned six total blocks (one block solo and 10 block assists), only two less than Minnesota.
 
Offensively, Green Bay welcomed back senior Jessica Wolf, who tallied 10 kills following her absence from the last nine games. She tied her sister, sophomore Taylor Wolf, in both points and kills, but came away with a higher hitting percentage, leading the team with .241.

Next Game
Tomorrow evening, the Phoenix will conclude the Gopher Fall Classic with a match against Kansas State (9-1) at 7:00 p.m.
 
###

For the latest and most up-to-date information on Green Bay Athletics and Green Bay Volleyball, please visit GreenBayPhoenix.com.

Follow us on Twitter: @GBPhoenix and @GBPhoenixVB

Like Green Bay Phoenix Athletics and Green Bay Phoenix Volleyball on Facebook.

---GreenBayPhoenix.com---