University of St. Thomas Athletics
Sunday, September 13
Minneapolis, Minn.
1:00 p.m. CT
2-5,0-0Summit League
0
vs
3
Minnesota
4-2,0-0Big Ten
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Thomas (MN) | 22 | 20 | 22 | 0 |
| Minnesota | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
Addie Schmotzer attacks against No. 13 Minnesota Saturday, Sept. 13 at Maturi Pavilion.
Photo by: Collin Boyles
Tommies hang close in loss at No. 13 Gophers
9/13/2026 3:48:00 PM | Volleyball
St. Thomas splits Diet Coke Classic as Schmidt leads again with 13 kills
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Sophomore Anya Schmidt again paced the University of St. Thomas volleyball during the Diet Coke Classic as the Tommies fell at No. 13 Minnesota, 3-0 (22-25, 20-25, 22-25). Schmidt finished with a team-high 13 kills, her third straight match with at least 13, as the Tommies finished with nine service aces, their second most of the season.
TOP TOMMIES
Anya Schmidt
- Achieved a season-high hitting percentage of .417.
- Recorded at least 13 kills in three consecutive matches.
- Accumulated at least 14 points in three straight matches.
Ellie Gustafson
- Registered a career-high total of four service aces.
Reilly Kurth
- Recorded three or more blocks in two consecutive matches.
HOW IT HAPPENED
St. Thomas climbed back from a 17-10 deficit in the first set, using back-to-back service aces from Gustafson and another from Kira Brundage to get within 20-18. Schmidt later added a service ace to bring St. Thomas within 23-22, but the Gophers scored the final two points to take the set 25-22.
St. Thomas spent most of the second set playing from behind after the Gophers moved ahead 14-7 and later reached 21-13. Morgan Kealy helped the visitors answer late, including an assist on Audrey Kocon's kill during a three-point St. Thomas run to 21-16, and later setting up kills by Kocon, Schmidt, and Addie Schmotzer. The Gophers closed the set on a St. Thomas service error for a 25-20 set win.
St. Thomas pushed back late in the third set, cutting a 21-16 deficit to 21-19 on a Gophers service error, a Gophers attack error, and Schmidt's kill from Brundage. Earlier, Gustafson's serve helped St. Thomas open the set with four straight points, including back-to-back aces and two Kurth kills from Kealy. The Gophers held off the late pressure and took the set, 25-22.
QUOTABLES
Head Coach Thanh Pham on the third meeting against the Gophers over the past three seasons:
"What a great day for Minnesota volleyball. The two Division I teams went at it, and unfortunately we came up on the losing end, but we put up a strong battle against one of the top teams in the country. I'm really happy with how our team withstood the pressure and the atmosphere that was a little hostile in all the best ways. Congratulations to Minnesota, a well-earned victory and we look forward to possibly returning here in the future."
UP NEXT
St. Thomas makes its final non-conference tournament appearance of the season Sept. 18-19 at the Marquette Tournament, facing Western Michigan to open on Friday and Marquette on Saturday.
FOLLOW ALONG
For more information on St. Thomas volleyball, follow along on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram at @tommievball. Tommie Athletics is now available on TikTok at @TommieSports.
JOIN US
To reserve your seat to be a part of the Tommies' 2026 season, click HERE to view ticketing information and purchase options.
-- St. Thomas Athletics --
TOP TOMMIES
Anya Schmidt
- Achieved a season-high hitting percentage of .417.
- Recorded at least 13 kills in three consecutive matches.
- Accumulated at least 14 points in three straight matches.
Ellie Gustafson
- Registered a career-high total of four service aces.
Reilly Kurth
- Recorded three or more blocks in two consecutive matches.
HOW IT HAPPENED
St. Thomas climbed back from a 17-10 deficit in the first set, using back-to-back service aces from Gustafson and another from Kira Brundage to get within 20-18. Schmidt later added a service ace to bring St. Thomas within 23-22, but the Gophers scored the final two points to take the set 25-22.
St. Thomas spent most of the second set playing from behind after the Gophers moved ahead 14-7 and later reached 21-13. Morgan Kealy helped the visitors answer late, including an assist on Audrey Kocon's kill during a three-point St. Thomas run to 21-16, and later setting up kills by Kocon, Schmidt, and Addie Schmotzer. The Gophers closed the set on a St. Thomas service error for a 25-20 set win.
St. Thomas pushed back late in the third set, cutting a 21-16 deficit to 21-19 on a Gophers service error, a Gophers attack error, and Schmidt's kill from Brundage. Earlier, Gustafson's serve helped St. Thomas open the set with four straight points, including back-to-back aces and two Kurth kills from Kealy. The Gophers held off the late pressure and took the set, 25-22.
QUOTABLES
Head Coach Thanh Pham on the third meeting against the Gophers over the past three seasons:
"What a great day for Minnesota volleyball. The two Division I teams went at it, and unfortunately we came up on the losing end, but we put up a strong battle against one of the top teams in the country. I'm really happy with how our team withstood the pressure and the atmosphere that was a little hostile in all the best ways. Congratulations to Minnesota, a well-earned victory and we look forward to possibly returning here in the future."
UP NEXT
St. Thomas makes its final non-conference tournament appearance of the season Sept. 18-19 at the Marquette Tournament, facing Western Michigan to open on Friday and Marquette on Saturday.
FOLLOW ALONG
For more information on St. Thomas volleyball, follow along on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram at @tommievball. Tommie Athletics is now available on TikTok at @TommieSports.
JOIN US
To reserve your seat to be a part of the Tommies' 2026 season, click HERE to view ticketing information and purchase options.
-- St. Thomas Athletics --
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Players Mentioned
DS/L
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
S
/ Volleyball
RS/S
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
MB
/ VolleyballTeam Stats
UST
MINN
Kills
29
42
Errors
18
13
Attempts
82
84
Hitting %
.134
.345
Points
41.0
57.0
Assists
28
41
Aces
9
7
Blocks
3
8
Game Leaders
Kills
13
Aces
1
Blocks
0
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
4
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
3
Aces
0
Blocks
3
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