areThe 22nd-ranked Minnesota volleyball team needed just 69 minutes to defeat Michigan, 15-3, 15-3, 15-9, at the Sports Pavilion. The Gophers maintained their second-place position in the Big Ten and are 19-5 overall and 10-2 in the Big Ten.

Nicole Branagh had 17 kills for Minnesota, which had a 50-31 edge in kills and a .330-.058 advantage in hitting percentage. Minnesota outblocked the Wolverines 8-6, and served up six aces to Michigan's two. The Gophers complete a 4-0 sweep this season against Michigan and Michigan State for the first time since 1993. The Gophers did not lose a game this season to the Michigan schools.

"It was a very efficient night for us," said Minnesota head coach Mike Hebert. "Our control of the two matches this weekend was excellent. As long as we continue to play low-error volleyball, good things will continue to happen."

Minnesota was very effective offensively in the first two games, hitting .400 while committing just seven hitting errors. Branagh had 14 of her 17 kills in the first two games. The third game was tied at 9-9, but the Gophers scored the final six points of the match to complete the sweep.

The Gophers will host Iowa at the Sports Pavilion on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

BIG TEN STANDINGS Penn State 12-0 22-1 Minnesota 10-2 19-5 Wisconsin 8-4 15-7 Illinois 8-4 12-6 Michigan State 6-6 16-8 Indiana 5-7 14-7 Purdue 5-7 13-8 Ohio State 5-7 11-8 Michigan 4-8 12-9 Iowa 3-9 4-15 Northwestern 0-12 2-20 Saturday's Results Minnesota d. Michigan, 3-0 (15-3, 15-3, 15-9) Penn State d. Northwestern, 3-0 (15-7, 15-5, 15-4) Wisconsin d. Indiana, 3-1 (15-7, 15-4, 7-15, 15-4) Michigan State d. Iowa, 3-0 (scores unavailable) Purdue d. Illinois, 3-2 (15-9, 15-9, 6-15, 6-15, 15-10)