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Cook, Hanson and Palabiyik Set for Big Ten Media Days
7/27/2025 9:40:00 PM | Volleyball
Minnesota's press conference will take place at 2:12 p.m. CT Monday
CHICAGO, Ill. - The Big Ten Conference will continue to raise the bar as the premier volleyball conference in the country when it plays host to the fourth annual Big Ten Volleyball Media Days July 28-29, 2025 at the Big Ten Network studios in Chicago. In 2022, the Big Ten became the first collegiate conference to host an in-person preseason volleyball media event.
Minnesota head coach Keegan Cook will be joined on Monday by senior outside hitter Julia Hanson and junior libero Zeynep Palabiyik. The trio will go through media stations throughout the day, including 'At the Net' sit downs, a studio sit down on Big Ten Network, a press conference and much more.
The team's press conference is set for Monday, July 28 from 2:12 to 2:32 p.m. Media interested in attending and asking questions can do so through the attached Zoom link.
In the 18-team league, the Golden Gophers were picked to finish fourth in the preseason poll behind Nebraska, Penn State and Wisconsin. Minnesota finished the 2024 season with a 21-11 (13-7 Big Ten) record, advancing to the NCAA Tournament's Round of 32. The Gophers tied for sixth in the conference standings. Outsides Julia Hanson and Mckenna Wucherer were voted onto the Preseason All-Big Ten Team as well.
Minnesota opens the season on Monday, Aug. 25 in Sioux Falls, S.D. against Texas A&M.
Day 1 (July 28): Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Penn State, Purdue, Rutgers
Day 2 (July 29): Iowa, Michigan, Michigan St., Ohio St., Oregon, UCLA, USC, Washington, Wisconsin
2025 BIG TEN VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON POLL
1. Nebraska
2. Penn State
3. Wisconsin
4. Minnesota
5. UCLA
6. USC
7. Purdue
8. Washington
9. Illinois
10. Michigan
11. Indiana
12. Oregon
13. Ohio State
14. Michigan State
15. Northwestern
16. Maryland
17. Iowa
18. Rutgers
2025 BIG TEN VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
Allison Jacobs, MICH, Gr., OH
Julia Hanson, MINN, Sr., OH
Mckenna Wucherer, MINN, Sr., OH
HARPER MURRAY, NEB, Jr., OH
ANDI JACKSON, NEB, Jr., MB
BERGEN REILLY, NEB, Jr., S
Rebekah Allick, NEB, Sr., MB
KENNEDY MARTIN, PSU, Jr., OPP
IZZY STARCK, PSU, So., S
Gillian Grimes, PSU, Sr., L
Cheridyn Leverette, UCLA, Sr., OH
Maggie Li, UCLA, Jr., OH
Marianna Singletary, UCLA, RS-Jr., MB
Phekran Kong, UCLA, Gr., MB
Adonia Faumuina, USC, Jr., OH
Kierstyn Barton, WASH, Jr., OH
Julia Hunt, WASH, So., MB
Carter Booth, WIS, Sr., MB
Mimi Colyer, WIS, Sr., OH
Charlie Fuerbringer, WIS, So., S
Unanimous Selection in ALL CAPS
* - additional players due to tie in voting
Unanimous selection listed in ALL CAPS
Minnesota head coach Keegan Cook will be joined on Monday by senior outside hitter Julia Hanson and junior libero Zeynep Palabiyik. The trio will go through media stations throughout the day, including 'At the Net' sit downs, a studio sit down on Big Ten Network, a press conference and much more.
The team's press conference is set for Monday, July 28 from 2:12 to 2:32 p.m. Media interested in attending and asking questions can do so through the attached Zoom link.
In the 18-team league, the Golden Gophers were picked to finish fourth in the preseason poll behind Nebraska, Penn State and Wisconsin. Minnesota finished the 2024 season with a 21-11 (13-7 Big Ten) record, advancing to the NCAA Tournament's Round of 32. The Gophers tied for sixth in the conference standings. Outsides Julia Hanson and Mckenna Wucherer were voted onto the Preseason All-Big Ten Team as well.
Minnesota opens the season on Monday, Aug. 25 in Sioux Falls, S.D. against Texas A&M.
Day 1 (July 28): Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Penn State, Purdue, Rutgers
Day 2 (July 29): Iowa, Michigan, Michigan St., Ohio St., Oregon, UCLA, USC, Washington, Wisconsin
2025 BIG TEN VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON POLL
1. Nebraska
2. Penn State
3. Wisconsin
4. Minnesota
5. UCLA
6. USC
7. Purdue
8. Washington
9. Illinois
10. Michigan
11. Indiana
12. Oregon
13. Ohio State
14. Michigan State
15. Northwestern
16. Maryland
17. Iowa
18. Rutgers
2025 BIG TEN VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
Allison Jacobs, MICH, Gr., OH
Julia Hanson, MINN, Sr., OH
Mckenna Wucherer, MINN, Sr., OH
HARPER MURRAY, NEB, Jr., OH
ANDI JACKSON, NEB, Jr., MB
BERGEN REILLY, NEB, Jr., S
Rebekah Allick, NEB, Sr., MB
KENNEDY MARTIN, PSU, Jr., OPP
IZZY STARCK, PSU, So., S
Gillian Grimes, PSU, Sr., L
Cheridyn Leverette, UCLA, Sr., OH
Maggie Li, UCLA, Jr., OH
Marianna Singletary, UCLA, RS-Jr., MB
Phekran Kong, UCLA, Gr., MB
Adonia Faumuina, USC, Jr., OH
Kierstyn Barton, WASH, Jr., OH
Julia Hunt, WASH, So., MB
Carter Booth, WIS, Sr., MB
Mimi Colyer, WIS, Sr., OH
Charlie Fuerbringer, WIS, So., S
Unanimous Selection in ALL CAPS
* - additional players due to tie in voting
Unanimous selection listed in ALL CAPS
Highlights: Gophers 3, Vanderbilt 0
Friday, September 05
Highlights: Gophers 3, St. Thomas 1
Sunday, August 31
Highlights: Gophers 3, Ball State 0
Saturday, August 30
Highlights: Gophers 3, Cal Poly 1
Friday, August 29