Exciting Times Ahead for Minnesota Volleyball: The 2025 Non-Conference Schedule
MINNEAPOLIS – Get ready, Gophers fans! The Minnesota volleyball team is charging into the 2025 season with a thrilling non-conference schedule that promises action-packed matches and formidable challenges. From August 25 to September 21, fans can expect 11 non-league games before the intensity of Big Ten play kicks off on September 24.
A Visionary Approach: Coach Keegan Cook’s Insights
"We’re thrilled to finally be able to announce our non-conference schedule," said Head Coach Keegan Cook. His enthusiasm underscores the rigorous efforts that have gone into crafting a lineup designed not just for competition, but for development.
"It’s been a tremendous amount of work," he continued, expressing gratitude to assistant coach Pedro Mendes for his invaluable contributions in finalizing the schedule.
Kicking Off with a Bang: The AVCA First Serve Event
The season officially begins with the AVCA First Serve event, where the Gophers will face off against Texas A&M on August 25. This highly anticipated match will take place at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.
"Our non-conference schedule priorities were both numerous and specific for fall 2025," Cook remarked. "First and foremost, we want a schedule that allows us to develop our team and prepare for Big Ten play."
Home Sweet Home: A Three-Day Tournament
Following the initial matchup, the Gophers will return home to host Cal Poly, Ball State, and St. Thomas for a three-day tournament at Maturi Pavilion from August 29 to August 31. Each team will play daily, creating an electrifying environment for fans.
Catch all the action streamed on B1G+!
Road Warriors: Facing Competition in Nashville
The excitement continues as Minnesota heads to Nashville, Tenn., for two challenging matches against Vanderbilt on September 6 and Lipscomb on September 7. Notably, Vanderbilt’s matchup marks the program’s first year in Division I volleyball.
The Diet Coke Classic: Showcasing Talent at Home
The Diet Coke Classic, taking place from September 12 to September 14 at Maturi Pavilion, offers another blockbuster opportunity as Minnesota hosts South Florida, Dayton, and South Dakota State. This event, too, will be streamed live on B1G+.
Strength in Scheduling: Aiming for Success
Cook’s strategic vision for this schedule aims to position Minnesota for a coveted NCAA tournament seed.
"Our cumulative non-conference opponents had a win percentage of over .700 in 2024," Cook shared. "We intentionally sought teams with winning traditions, and we achieved that."
Closing Up: A Tough Preseason Finish
As the preseason wraps up, Minnesota will face off against Loyola Chicago and Marquette—both 2024 NCAA Tournament teams—on September 19 and September 21, respectively.
The Gophers’ Home Advantage
Of the 11 matches, a commendable six will take place at home, adding to an exhilarating 16 total home matches when including Big Ten play.
"The support from our community and season ticket holders has been incredible," Cook noted. "Getting the team in front of them six times was a priority."
Looking Back: A Successful 2024 Season
Reflecting on last season, Minnesota finished with a 21-11 record (13-7 in Big Ten play) and made its 10th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, reaching the Round of 32.
Notably, the Gophers achieved top-10 wins against No. 1 Texas and No. 7 Wisconsin, marking significant milestones for the program.
Mark Your Calendar: 2025 Non-Conference Matchups
Here’s the 2025 Non-Conference Schedule:
- Mon. Aug 25: No. 18 Minnesota vs. No. 16 Texas A&M (Sioux Falls, S.D.) – TBA
- Fri. Aug 29: St. Thomas vs. Ball State – 3 p.m.
- Fri. Aug 29: No. 18 Minnesota vs. Cal Poly – 6 p.m.
- Sat. Aug 30: Cal Poly vs. St. Thomas – 2 p.m.
- Sat. Aug 30: No. 18 Minnesota vs. Ball State – 5 p.m.
- Sun. Aug 31: Cal Poly vs. Ball State – 11 a.m.
- Sun. Aug 31: No. 18 Minnesota vs. St. Thomas – 2 p.m.
- Fri. Sept 5: No. 18 Minnesota at Vanderbilt – TBA
- Sat. Sept 6: No. 18 Minnesota at Lipscomb – TBA
- Fri. Sept 12: South Dakota State vs. Dayton – 3 p.m.
- Fri. Sept 12: No. 18 Minnesota vs. South Florida – 6 p.m.
- Sat. Sept 13: South Florida vs. South Dakota State – 2 p.m.
- Sat. Sept 13: No. 18 Minnesota vs. No. 17 Dayton – 5 p.m.
- Sun. Sept 14: No. 17 Dayton vs. South Florida – 11 a.m.
- Sun. Sept 14: No. 18 Minnesota vs. South Dakota State – 2 p.m.
- Fri. Sept 19: No. 18 Minnesota at Loyola Chicago – 6 p.m.
- Sun. Sept 21: No. 18 Minnesota at No. 21 Marquette – 1 p.m.
2024 AVCA Final Rankings included.
Conclusion: Get Ready for an Unforgettable Season!
With a strategic blend of challenging road matches and exciting home games, the Minnesota volleyball team is poised for a thrilling 2025 season. Mark your calendars, gather your friends, and get ready to cheer on the Gophers as they aim for greatness! For more updates and ticket information, stay tuned!
Whether you’re a die-hard fan or new to the sport, it’s time to embrace the excitement of Gophers Volleyball!
