The Gophers volleyball team last went to the Final Four in 2019. That was also the year St. Thomas received an invitation to transition from Division III to Division I.
Two years later, the Gophers and Tommies made history at Maturi Pavilion. Two D-I Minnesota schools played for the first time in any sport other than hockey.
It was up to Keegan Cook to continue what was never looked at as a potential rivalry.
Some programs such as Gophers basketball avoided even talking about scheduling the Tommies.
“I’m an outsider to this community — everybody knows that,” said Cook, who replaced McCutcheon last season from Washington. “Why wouldn’t we play each other? It’s been fun. People say, ‘That’s nice, but go beat them.’”
Coming off a two-match slide, the No. 19 Gophers needed a pick-me-up performance, which came in the form of Tuesday’s home opener with a 25-20, 25-16, 25-21 victory over St. Thomas.
Outside hitter Julia Hanson and outside/opposite hitter Lydia Grote had a team-high 10 kills apiece. Setter Melani Shaffmaster finished with 23 assists and 10 digs for the Gophers, who now play host to LIU and Auburn in the Diet Coke Classic on Thursday and Friday.