BIG TEN VOLLEYBALL MEDIA DAYS

August 2, 2022

Hugh McCutcheon

Taylor Landfair

CC McGraw

Minnesota Golden Gophers

Press Conference

COACH MCCUTCHEON: Excited to be here, excited for another season of Big Ten volleyball.

Q. Give us a loosely formed depth chart for your team.

COACH MCCUTCHEON: I would be speculating at best. We are so fortunate to have a lot of depth and talent on this team. This preseason is going to be critical in terms of establishing the very things you're speaking to, lineups and depth charts.

But for me to put it out there at this point would seem a little reckless. We've got some good returners. But one of the things we absolutely live by is we don't promise anyone starting jobs. We don't promise anyone playing time. We just promise everybody that we're going to invest in their development.

So I think that stuff will play itself out. And I'd go even so far to say that it could be kind of an evolving thing over the course of the season, as different players continue to grow and evolve. So I would respectfully decline to give you the depth chart.

Q. In the off time, in the offseason, in your opinion do you feel there's a good amount of time spent with coaches before the offseason starts? Or do you think all of this hubbub in the offseason (indiscernible) more time with the coaches?

CC MCGRAW: I think obviously we'd want more time with the coaches, every opportunity we can get to get in the gym and learn. Obviously we do a lot of stuff on our own in the summer. And we have captains practices and stuff. But there's only so much we can do.

So when it comes to Coach's feedback and whatnot for the newcomers, that's way more impactful. So yeah, I'd say we'd hope we could get more time. But I think we're in a good spot right now headed into preseason.

Q. I'm curious to hear your thoughts on the partnership with the Big Ten Network and Volleyball World, Kelly Sheffield was in here talking about how that could impact recruiting internationally. And with your international background, I'm wondering how that partnership could open up things specifically in the Big Ten?

COACH MCCUTCHEON: I'm not sure about the synergies on the recruiting front, but all of that aside -- not to say that those won't be a thing; who knows -- but the idea that Big Ten volleyball in particular can be presented on this global platform, on a global stage, is, I think, really important for Volleyball World and for our sport and this country because I think the perception internationally is that we don't have a professional league, per se. But when you look at the facilities and the investment and the crowds and the energy around our sport and this conference in particular, it rivals certainly anything that's going on in any other country.

I think it's going to be great for the world to see what college volleyball is, well, in particular, Big Ten volleyball is. And I think it's important that maybe that drives more people to watch Volleyball World TV and see there's a ton of really good volleyball going on all over the world and in a bunch of different countries as well.

I think there's this really good synergy that could be created by this partnership. I think it's really important and impactful.

Q. Your former player, Stephanie, is playing on Perugia, Italian A1 league. They're ranked tenth preseason. How do you think she'll be able to handle that league on that team? And what do you think she could bring to a team that's at the bottom of the league?

COACH MCCUTCHEON: Well, I have a lot of faith in Stephanie. And I think she really made a smart decision to start her professional career playing in Germany. Not to say that the Bundesliga isn't good. But it was a nice transitional few months, get used to being in Europe, get used to that whole deal of being a pro versus playing collegiately.

And yeah, I think she's going to be ready to go. One of the things that's great about Stephanie, relative to the shift into the international realm is she can play the whole game. As an opposite, that's compelling. She hits a good serve on the court, can play defense, can hit front row, back row. She has range. She's a good right-side blocker. I think there's a lot of value she can add.

Now, whether she can carry the load and shift the needle at Perugia a ton, who knows. But I don't mind backing her. I'll put some money on her. She can play.

Q. Where were you when you heard the news that UCLA and USC were joining the Big Ten? And how do you think the addition of those two teams will impact the conference?

COACH MCCUTCHEON: I'm not sure where I was. Probably hanging out at home. I think it's a very interesting and important evolution in terms of college athletics, as we know the landscape of the college athletics world is kind of getting reshaped, reformed, whatever you want to call it.

And as Oklahoma and Texas kind of made their move, here's the Big Ten responding, and I think a really impressive decision based on all the factors that are going into this -- the TV market footprint, the quality of the academic rigor of those institutions and the quality of programs they provide.

I think it's a really good fit. We're excited to have them join and who knows how it will play out. But really cool that Big Ten is getting bigger.

Q. Taylor and CC, another big recruiting class coming in. A lot of transfers as well. What have you two done in this offseason especially to embrace all those new players and know that you're going to be another favorite in the Big Ten?

TAYLOR LANDFAIR: I think that we have all just come together as a team and really took in those people that came in, and just making sure they all feel they have a voice and making sure we all gelled really well as a team because what goes on off the court comes onto the court.

So, I think building chemistry, making sure we have a lot of trust within each other, making sure our competitive drive is where it needs to be, and making sure our standards are where they need to be also.

Q. CC, how do you view this year's roster in relationship to some of the other teams you played for with the Gophers? Seems like there's a nice balance of returning players to go along with the freshman class and transfers?

CC MCGRAW: I think our freshmen class and a lot of our newcomers and transfers are definitely going to add a lot of depth to our roster, which is great. I think in years past we haven't had as much depth. I think that will be a big shift for us this season. A lot of moving parts and people that can play multiple positions, so I think that will be a strength of ours.

I'm really looking forward to getting in the gym and working with the new players and just focusing on connecting on and off the court, making sure we're all on the same page with our goals for the season.

Q. Taylor, you went to Selma. Could you talk about maybe what that experience was like, what it meant to you? And maybe you became friends with Amiya and Rainelle that you might not have been previously, what that might be like playing against them through the season, anything you want to tell us about that?

TAYLOR LANDFAIR: I think my experience was really incredible because I understood what happened back then to some extent. I kind of just knew the surface layer of thing of what actually happened back then. But to be able to understand and actually learn and read about what happened in depth was an amazing experience because I think more people need to understand what happened because I feel like nothing's really talked about in schools.

I feel like more people need to actually experience what happened and be able to read every single story and everything that actually happened because it's -- really the amount of emotions that came with it was incredible to me there were so many tears, so much frustration, anger -- all the different emotions you could feel were felt.

And I think it was an amazing experience and I would definitely love to do it again. I would love to take my family down there. Anybody who has the ability to go down there, I think it would be amazing to go there, just see what happened.

And in terms of being able to play, I think it would be cool just to be able to see the players that were there, just to see them across the net and be, like, hey, I'm with you. We're in this together. We're both going through the same thing that all of our ancestors went through. To be able to fight through that has been really important to me.

Q. What does it mean to you to be a role model for the next generation of volleyball players and have young fans come up to you after matches?

CC MCGRAW: I think playing at this level -- I mean, you definitely have the ability to influence a lot of young athletes. And so I think most importantly just teaching them how to be a good teammate and really modeling that on the court. I think doing what you can help those around you in any way possible.

Regardless of how well you do in your abilities, I think it's most important as a role model to set that example for young female athletes to work hard, learn, get better and just ultimately be a good person and, I don't know, the way we go about it in our program it speaks problems.

Q. Coach, you played nonconference schedules is this the toughest, how do you think it will prepare you?

COACH MCCUTCHEON: Before I respond to that, do you want to add to that?

TAYLOR LANDFAIR: To those younger athletes, just letting them know they can be a person and their whole world doesn't have to center around volleyball. Just shoot for the stars, go do whatever they want to. Just dream big.

COACH MCCUTCHEON: To your question, it's a robust schedule, no question. So we'll learn a lot and go from there. But I've always found that knowing how rigorous the Big is going to be, kind of tiptoeing around preseason I don't think does you any good.

If we have spaces in our game I'd rather find out early. And the goal is to be the best we can be in December and if we happen to be good in August and September then cool.

But the goal is to learn and then compete and try to get ready for what we know is going to be a really tough conference schedule.

Q. Taylor, how much are you itching to get back on the court? And what's the past year been like, what are challenges you've had to overcome, and what are you looking forward to getting back on the court and competing?

TAYLOR LANDFAIR: I'm just really exciting to be back with the teammates, actually physically on the court. I felt last year I really took advantage of being a better teammate. And I know I couldn't be out with my teammates on the court physically, but I knew I could be with them on the sideline and give them as much energy as I could, screaming my head off, just having a blast on the sideline.

And I think just coming into this year I want to do the same thing, making sure I'm a great leader, being a great teammate, and letting my teammates know that I'm there for them 100 percent, no matter what, even if I get injured I'm there for you.

Q. What are your thoughts about Russ Rose retiring and Katie Schumacher-Cawley taking over at Penn State?

COACH MCCUTCHEON: Obviously a legacy career. What was it, 44, is that how many? 43. I mean it's incredible on so many levels. And a sustained level of competitive success that's likely to be unrivaled.

Russ' influence on our sport and especially on Big Ten volleyball cannot be understated. You have to appreciate and value the life-long contribution to this. And we all stand on the shoulders of those that came before us. But Russ was a big part of building all this.

To that end, hiring Katie was a really good decision. She was with Russ for the last few years, so in terms of knowing the lay of the land, the status quo of the program, I think it's a seamless transition. And we know they'll continue to keep rolling. Good hire for them. Obviously we're sad to see Russ go. But after 43 years he's probably earned the right to go do wherever he wants.

Q. CC, how tough was your decision to come back for one more year? And what were the biggest factors in coming back?

CC MCGRAW: Honestly it wasn't that tough. It was kind of no brainer for me right as I found out I could get another year of eligibility. I was, like, perfect, I can start grad school and get a program under my belt.

And getting another opportunity to learn from Hugh and the rest of the staff and be around my teammates.

And my junior year I missed out on a big chunk of the season. Part of me was I want to be back and healthy and myself again, so having one final run at it with my teammates and my amazing coaching staff and stuff was definitely the biggest thing for me.

Q. Coach, what was your reaction when you found out CC was coming back for another year?

COACH MCCUTCHEON: Really happy with CC's decision. For us, it was a no brainer as well. Felt like a win-win. It wasn't a long conversation.

And with Taylor, this little blip in injury, this injury, as untimely and as difficult as injuries can be, I do think there was some opportunity for her in that. She's spoken to that already. But we're talking about someone that probably never came off the court in her career. And now all of a sudden how can you be on a team when you're not out there making every play?

And, yet, to her credit, Taylor found a ton of different ways to add value and to build the team and support the team. And having that kind of empathy for what it is to be on the bench is go I get help her to be better when she's out on the court. I know it wasn't cool to get hurt. But I do think there were some valuable lessons learned and I think that's going to hold her in good stance. And we're excited to have her back out there.

Q. The pandemic and being injured, is there part of the season that finally feels like it's getting back to normal for you. What do you expect from yourself as well as the others?

TAYLOR LANDFAIR: I think personally being in the atmosphere of the Pav (phonetic) is definitely going to be one of my top things. Just competing in front of the fans and all the energy and excitement.

And with Moni (phonetic) and Jenna, I think all of us were in all this together and I think we already have this bond together. So I think just kind of building on that and just bringing that onto the court will help us a lot.

Q. What do you love the most about playing volleyball and Minnesota in general?

CC MCGRAW: It's a team sport. That's what I love most about it. I think the relationships I've built with my teammates and stuff throughout all these years, wouldn't change anything for the world. I think that's been the biggest thing.

And Minnesota, I mean I live 30 minutes from campus. So I knew I wanted to stay close to home and have all my family members at all my matches and stuff there to support me. Obviously being close to home, just getting to wear the M on my jersey and represent my home state and play for an incredible program and great coaches. I'm so grateful I've had all these opportunities and experiences with this sport.

TAYLOR LANDFAIR: I completely agree with CC. I think knowing that me and my teammates are always there for each other. We're always our ride or dies, no matter what happens.

And I think being able to represent my last name because I'm not from Minnesota, to be able to wear the M, like CC said, represent my family and my last name, and let my parents know that they raised me right and everything they gave me, I've been using it to take it to my advantage because I have to.

Q. CC, does it feel like a single-minded focus on winning championships, being your final season, is that always your focus?

CC MCGRAW: Hands down. I think that's everyone's goal. But especially this being my last hurrah. Like going all out, like, being myself again and healthy mentally and physically. I want to win some games and compete and play with my teammates and stuff. Definitely that's my approach this season.

Q. How much are you depending on Taylor, without having Stephanie to carry that load, offensively, and I've seen her take the next step in her college career?

COACH MCCUTCHEON: I think we'll certainly lean on Taylor but I think one of the opportunities that this current iteration of our team presents is a lot of balance. And so I think not that we're somehow uni-dimensional before. But it feels like there's a lot of different ways that we can attack teams and I think having that balance is going to be something that we're going to really try to play to.

Q. Is it daunting or exciting to get ready to play this type of nonconference conference schedule. Super excited because we don't get to see those teams all the time being able to play them at a different time of the season is super exciting. (Inaudible)?

CC MCGRAW: After four years I'd say I mean we usually like to load up our preseason so it isn't anything new for us. But I think it helps us down the road. I'm looking forward to getting to play some good, competitive volleyball and all those road matches and preseason in Texas, it's going to be some good fun volleyball where you can learn and get better.

Q. This never gets old for Minnesota players. CC, things that he says that makes you laugh that he doesn't necessarily need to make you laugh, give me one or two?

CC MCGRAW: I would say anytime he's giving us feedback or something, oh, but you're still a good person. That's usually -- he loves that one. Oh, that's Hugh. You're so kind. That's usually.

COACH MCCUTCHEON: We just don't want them to take it personally. Hey, you're a good person, we like you but you have this little inefficiency, we need to correct it.