By: Rachel Timmerman
The heat was high and the Sports Pavilion was packed as the Gophers closed out their first week of conference play Saturday.
Despite the buzz, Minnesota lost to the reigning national champions, No. 3 Penn State, in four sets.
The Gophers took control in the first set but faltered in the second and third, and there was noticeable frustration on Minnesota’s side of the net.
“We were trying to force a few things to recreate the magic of set one,” head coach Hugh McCutcheon said. “When we start forcing shots, it seldom turns out well for us.”