The Minnesota volleyball team held an intrasquad scrimmage on Wednesday to get ready for a busy weekend. Minnesota played four games and shuttled some of the middle blockers and backrow players back and forth between the two sides. Gophersports.com talked to Minnesota Head Coach Mike Hebert after the scrimmage to get some of his impressions prior to the season opener at Notre Dame on Friday, Aug. 24 at 5 p.m. (CT).
Statements on the Scrimmage:“I thought we played very in the scrimmage tonight. It was a solid effort by the team and I feel confident with how we are playing heading into the season. This scrimmage showcased some of the depth that we have on this year’s team. With that depth, there is no weak or trouble areas on our team heading into the season.”
“I was very pleased with a lot of aspects of the scrimmage tonight. I liked what I saw from our middle blockers. I also thought Kyla (Roehrig) continued to show the assertiveness that she displayed towards the end of last year and in spring practice.
I thought we had good serving and passing throughout the night. Casual observers are going to look at the players we lost from last year that could pass and serve and wonder how we will be in that portion of the game this year. I think the players we have this year are very capable of passing and serving at a high level similar to last year’s squad.”
“I thought Rachel’s setting was very solid tonight. At times she did not get the ball exactly where she wanted, but she was consistent with providing her teammates quality sets throughout the scrimmage.”
“Brook (Dieter) gave the fans at the scrimmage a good look at all the things she can do. She was very impressive tonight. I think that is a definite plus, because it helps her gain even more confidence heading into the season opener on Friday.”
“I thought we did a good job defensively tonight of keeping points alive. I was very impressed with the play of Christine (Tan). She is playing at a high level right now, and it looks like we will be able to maintain the high level of play that we have had from the libero position in the past.”
