St. Thomas volleyball makes NCAA tournament debut, Gophers host first two rounds
Two Minnesota teams are dancing in the NCAA DI volleyball tournament set to start this weekend, with one making a historic debut.
The University of St. Thomas will compete in its first postseason tournament after winning the Summit League championship. They were originally seeded third in the conference tournament but took down South Dakota State to earn an automatic qualifying bid to the NCAA tournament.
It's the first year that the Tommies are eligible for postseason play; the university started its transition from a DIII to DI school in the 2021-2022 season, but was only instated as a full member earlier this year. Tommie volleyball is the first team at the university to advance to a national tournament.
On Sunday night, after their big conference win, the team gathered to hear their bid to the big dance.
"It was just kind of very surreal. It's my little kid dream that's being lived out, so that's pretty awesome," Morgan Kealy, a junior setter, said.
Kealy won the Summit League Setter of the Year this season.
Middle blocker, Addie Schmotzer, finished the regular season with 121 kills. She says she's not surprised by their successful run this season.
"We all had a feeling from the beginning. We have 9 seniors this year and a lot of returners, so it was always exciting," said Schmotzer.
The team's senior leadership is bookended by young talent. Anya Schmidt won Summit League Freshman of the Year, ending the regular season with 326 kills.
Schmidt was the 2024 Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year from Rogers. She chose to commit to the Tommies because she wanted to make a big impact on a team new to Division I.
"It's a senior-led team, so to be able to be part of it and help in any way that I can to make their dreams come true is really what I'm trying to do this year," she said. "I mean, they've done this for three years without having the opportunity to play in a postseason, so for them this is their first opportunity."
Even after 23 seasons as head coach of this team, Thanh Pham says this is just the beginning.
"I'm glad that we are the first ones that get to participate in NCAA postseason play, but I know for sure we won't be the last one," Pham said.
St. Thomas will face the Iowa State Cyclones, who earned a No. 5 seed. The Tommies won't be going far either, as they'll play their match at the University of Minnesota's Maturi Pavilion.
The Gophers too, will play in the postseason tournament after earning a No. 4 seed. Minnesota is ranked No. 18 and has put together an impressive run after losing four starters at the beginning of the season. Most of the starters on the floor now are freshmen, led by seniors Julia Hanson and Lourdes Myers.
"It's a testament to the work the team has put in all season long," said head coach Keegan Cook. "Not a lot has gone to plan this year, but being able to host the NCAA Tournament was definitely a goal of ours."
The Gophers will face Fairfield, who won their seventh consecutive MAAC Regular Season Championship. The two teams have met once before, during the first round of the NCAA tournament in 2019.
Iowa State and St. Thomas will play Friday at 4:30 p.m., while the Gophers will play Fairfield at 7 p.m. The second-round match is scheduled for Saturday at 7 p.m.
The Gophers and Tommies could play each other if they both win in the first round. They faced each other earlier this year, with the Gophers winning 3-1.
The team that advances will then head to Pittsburgh next weekend for the regionals.