Alyssa Goehner enjoyed attending University of Minnesota volleyball games growing up, but that didn’t sway her from picking another program on signing day last year.
The former Lakeville North standout chose Marquette.
But Golden Eagles coach Bond Shymansky left for Iowa, which allowed Goehner to get out of her letter of intent.
Playing for former Olympic volleyball coach Hugh McCutcheon has been “all I could ever asked for,” the Gophers freshman outside hitter said.
She’s also glad she can play closer to her family that supported her as a standout youth to a two-time high school state champion and prep All-American.
“The fact that I was going far away kind of took something away from me and something away from them,” Goehner said. “So coming here, they can watch all my games. I think it’ll help me play much better having my family there.”
Minnesota (4-1) plays Tulsa at 7 p.m. Friday to open the Diet Coke Classic tournament at the Sports Pavilion. The Gophers play Wisconsin- Milwaukee and Iowa State on Saturday.
Through five matches, the 5-foot-11 Goehner has played mostly behind starters Adrianna Nora and Daly Santana.
But Goehner has contributed early with 21 digs. She had eight digs and an ace in a three-set win against Yale last week in New Haven, Conn.
Nora, Santana and Sara Wilhite made the all-tournament team as the Gophers won the Yale Invitational. Nora was named most valuable player.
McCutcheon said before the season there wouldn’t be pressure on Goehner to make an immediate impact. But she was expcted to contribute.
“With anyone, if you’re the best player in the gym, you get to play the position,” he said. “Alyssa has done a good job. But the transition for anyone from high school (and) club to college is a little bit of a shock. She has dealt with it very well. She’s very committed to becoming the best she can be. We’re excited to see where that leads her and, of course, us.”
Last signing period, Goehner wasn’t the most highly recruited Minnesota high school athlete who decided to leave the state. Her boyfriend, former Apple Valley All-American point guard Tyus Jones chose Duke.
Goehner, who joked that she’s a better athlete than Jones wished he had chosen Minnesota when she eventually switched. But she’s glad they both will get a chance to play in college as freshmen.
“It’s cool to hear his stories about how he’s doing down there,” Goehner said. “He’ll do great things. I’m really excited for him.”
Follow Marcus R. Fuller at twitter.com/GophersNow.
