University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
Libero/DS
/ Volleyball
Photo by: Ceci De Young
Zeynep Palabiyik to Miss Season with Knee Injury
9/5/2025 1:00:00 PM | Volleyball
The junior libero tore her ACL on Sunday afternoon
MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota junior libero Zeynep Palabiyik will miss the remainder of 2025 with a knee injury, the program announced on Friday.
An MRI this week diagnosed her with a torn ACL. She is set to undergo surgery next week and will medically redshirt this season. She'll have two years of eligibility remaining.
"We're obviously heartbroken for Zeynep at this moment," said head coach Keegan Cook. "But we're also extremely confident in how she will heal, recover and ultimately grow from this. She has met every adversity of college volleyball with enthusiasm and determination. She will remain an emotional leader for the team this season and we will all look forward to having her back on the court with us."
An Istanbul, Turkey native, she started all 32 matches last year and four this season at the libero spot. Palabiyik ranked seventh in the Big Ten last year with 3.86 digs per set in 2024 and third this year with 3.73. She's played in 56 career matches, including four NCAA Tournament games.
No. 14 Minnesota (3-1, 0-0 Big Ten) is back in action tonight against Vanderbilt (1-2, 0-0 SEC).
An MRI this week diagnosed her with a torn ACL. She is set to undergo surgery next week and will medically redshirt this season. She'll have two years of eligibility remaining.
"We're obviously heartbroken for Zeynep at this moment," said head coach Keegan Cook. "But we're also extremely confident in how she will heal, recover and ultimately grow from this. She has met every adversity of college volleyball with enthusiasm and determination. She will remain an emotional leader for the team this season and we will all look forward to having her back on the court with us."
An Istanbul, Turkey native, she started all 32 matches last year and four this season at the libero spot. Palabiyik ranked seventh in the Big Ten last year with 3.86 digs per set in 2024 and third this year with 3.73. She's played in 56 career matches, including four NCAA Tournament games.
No. 14 Minnesota (3-1, 0-0 Big Ten) is back in action tonight against Vanderbilt (1-2, 0-0 SEC).
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
Highlights: Gophers 1, Texas A&M 3
Monday, August 25