NCAA programs are allowed to take foreign trips once every four years, and this will be Minnesota’s first-ever trip abroad since going to Japan in 2019. On that trip, the Gophers trained and competed in Okayama, Japan, from March 17-24, 2019. The team also took a trip to Japan in March of 2015.
“We’re grateful for the opportunity to take this group abroad this summer,” said head coach Keegan Cook. “Competing overseas is one of the most impactful student-athlete experiences we can offer, both individually and collectively for the team. We’ve had a productive spring teaching period and I’m looking forward to the challenge and development this trip will offer us.”
Competition-wise, the Gophers will play Vakifbank TBC (May 14), Fenerbahce (May 15) and Eczacibsi (May 16), three extremely competitive teams in Turkey. They will then take on an opponent to be determined in Slovenia on May 19, and they will close the trip out with an exhibition tilt against an Italian Volleyball Federation team in Milan, Italy on May 23 and 24.
Sightseeing opportunities in Turkey will include a boat tour in Bosphorus and trips to Hagia Sophia, Sultanahmet Mosque and the Grand Bazaar. In Slovenia, the team will ride the chairlift up the Pohorje Mountain for dinner at Marjan’s Hut and ride back down on the Alpine Slide. They will also take a private gondola ride up the Pohorje Mountain the next night and have dinner at the Doppler Winery. In Italy, they will travel to Venice on May 20. They will sight-see in the Venice city center, ride water taxis to Piazza San Marco and Doge’s Palace while exploring the city on foot. The next day, the team will go to Verona and sight-see at Lake Garda. The Gophers will also travel to Lake Como before heading to Milan to close out the trip.
In 2023, the Gophers finished 17-13 (12-8 Big Ten) under first year head coach Keegan Cook. Minnesota won 11+ Big Ten matches and an NCAA Tournament match for the ninth straight season. The 2024 team returns 2023 Second Team All-Big Ten honorees Lydia Grote and Melani Shaffmaster in addition to AVCA All-Region honoree Mckenna Wucherer.
The team also added early enrollees Olivia and Stella Swenson (Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata H.S.), who have been competing with the team this spring and will be freshmen in eligibility in the fall.
MATCH SCHEDULE
Subject to change
May 14 | vs. Vakifbank TBC | Istanbul, Türkiye | 6 a.m. CT
May 15 | vs. Fenerbahce | Istanbul, Türkiye | TBD
May 16 | vs. Eczacibasi | Istanbul, Türkiye | TBD
May 19 | vs. TBD | Maribor, Slovenia | TBD
May 22 | vs. Italian Federation Team | Milan, Italy | TBD
May 23 | vs. Italian Federation Team | Milan, Italy | TBD
