Gopher’s Volleyball team has been among the most improved teams at the NCAA Tournament. Soon after, emerging victorious with a first-round win, Minnesota was defeated by the opponent team, Creighton. Eventually, this ended Minnesota’s volleyball journey at the NCAA. Now, the Gophers are ready with another surprising revelation.
Recently, Minnesota Gophers left spectators in the void as the team added their crucial player, the 2022 Big Ten Player of the Year, to the transfer portal. Despite playing exceptionally well and having up to 2 years of eligibility, the player is being transferred from the team.
Minnesota’s outside hitter is getting transferred
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After playing four seasons with the team, Gopher’s redshirt junior has recently entered the transfer portal for the coming season. The 6-foot player has an average of 3.19 kills and 2.03 digs in a set. To break this surprising news, Famous volleyball analyst Lincoln Arneal took to his X handle while writing, “BREAKING: Minnesota redshirt junior Taylor Landfair has entered the transfer portal. The 6-foot-5 outside was the 2022 Big Ten player of the year. She averaged 3.19 kills and 2.03 digs per set. She could have up to 2 years of eligibility if she gets a medical hardship.“
BREAKING: Minnesota redshirt junior Taylor Landfair has entered the transfer portal.
The 6-foot-5 outside was the 2022 Big Ten player of the year. She averaged 3.19 kills and 2.03 digs per set. She could have up to 2 years of eligibility left if she gets a medical hardship.
— Lincoln Arneal (@Lincoln_VB) December 16, 2023
In addition, Landfair has been the former No. 1 recruit and Big Ten Player of the Year under the guidance of coach Hugh McCutcheon. Interestingly, Redshirt Junior has two extra years of eligibility, one because she missed her sophomore year due to injury and the other because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Along with Taylor, Gopher’s will also be losing Kylie Murr and Phoebe Awoleye, who will be graduating this year.
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Gopher Volleyball’s key player’s dipping performance this season
Unfortunately, Taylor Landfair’s performance this season has fallen. She played six rotations and was expected to develop a well-rounded game. In contrast, Landfair secured a 3.19-kill average in one set, which is lower than last year’s 4.35-kill per set. In addition, her hitting percentage also witnessed a slight drop from .257 to .222 percent.
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However, Taylor Landfair has been among the exceptional players on the Gopher’s volleyball team. Its coach Keegan Cook said during the season that Landfair was instrumental in keeping the team together after previous coach Hugh McCutcheon resigned. Currently, the team is looking for a libero and middle blocker for the upcoming tournaments. Will Gophers be able to find someone to replace Landfair?
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