Kate Thibault, who announced on Instagram that she would be playing for the Gophers volleyball team this season, is headed home with a natural fit for the spring transfer portal window.
Thibault, who played at Watertown-Mayer, was considered Minnesota's top libero prospect in the Class of 2023 and spent her freshman season at Oregon not playing much behind National Player of the Year Georgia Murphy. I spent my time without it.
Once she arrives at the university, immediate relief will be provided to the needy situation. The Gophers are entering a spring of rebirth filled with optimism, but there are also signs that the roster could be a little thin in some areas.
For example, when the Gophers played against Illinois on April 20, they were without starting libero Zeynep Palawicz and backup Skylar Gray, and Lauren Crowle (a 6-4 Red Reds opposite him who was coming off major surgery) was missing. (junior in the shirt) was suited to be a defensive specialist.
Although the Gophers won that exhibition game with Crowle proving to be a dynamic teammate, they still appeared to need back-row help from the spring transfer portal window.
In Thibault, they got some things. The former Watertown Meyer standout is an instinctive and energetic libero who was named first-team All-Metro by the Star Tribune as perhaps the state's best defensive player in 2022.
She also has deep connections with several current Gophers. She played club volleyball for Minnesota with redshirt freshman Sydney Schnitchels and true freshmen Stella and Olivia Swenson. This group attracted attention in 2022 by taking second place in the 17-a-side competition at the national tournament.
Last year at Oregon, she had 79 digs in 59 sets and was a strong serve specialist, ranking second on the team in aces per set. The Ducks made it to the Elite Eight last season, but lost to Wisconsin in four sets.
The Gophers will embark on a 12-day overseas trip next week, playing games in Turkey, Italy and Slovenia.