NASHVILLE – Wrapping up a stretch of three teams ranked in the top 15 and four of the first five matches of the 2025 season against the Southeastern Conference and the Big Ten Conference, the Lipscomb University volleyball program was defeated by No. 14 Minnesota on the final day of the Lippy Invitational in straight sets, Saturday from Allen Arena. 

Final Score: Minnesota 3, Lipscomb 0 (25-18, 25-15, 25-19)
Location: Allen Arena
Records: Lipscomb (1-4), Minnesota (5-1)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The two teams were even at seven in the opening set, but the Golden Gophers went out on a 12-7 run to lead 19-14, as they took advantage of some miscues by the Bisons. 

Lipscomb had 12 total kills, but a .360 swing percentage by Minnesota (11-2-25) to go along with six blocks gave the visitors the 25-18 win in set one. 

Set number two saw the Gophers get out to a 5-2 lead after a Julia Hanson kill. However, the Bisons responded with an 8-5 run of their own to even the set at 10 thanks to kills by Berkley Mischler and Courtney Jones. 

From there, Minnesota went on a 12-3 run to sprint away from Lipscomb for a 25-15 set two score. 

Similar to set two, the Bisons out-attacked the Gophers 11-10 in the kill department, but six errors on the serve and at the net each helped the visitors get out to a 2-0 set lead. 

Set three had many similarities to the first two. Lipscomb took a 10-9 lead thanks to a Mischler spike, but once again, Minnesota flipped the script with a 7-1 run that forced Lipscomb to burn a timeout. 

After the break, Lipscomb cut the deficit to four, 21-17, with a Cora ter Kuile kill, but a side out thanks to a Kelly Kinney kill helped the Gophers rally for the 25-19 set win and sweep of the Bisons.

QUOTABLE
Hear from head coach Brandon Rosenthal after the match. 



KEY STATISTICS
Lipscomb totaled 38 kills in the match to Minnesota's 35. 

Courtney Jones led the Bisons with a .344 swing percentage after 15 kills on 32 attacks with four errors. 

Kelsey Schenck added 10 digs, while Sophia Hudepohl had 29 assists. 

UP NEXT
The six-match home stand concludes with a cross-town matchup with the Tigers of Tennessee State University. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. inside Allen Arena.