“I probably spent more time in the training room than I actually did on the volleyball court,” wrote Mckenna Wucherer on Instagram in December, perfectly summing up her 2024 college volleyball season. And yet, despite struggling with an injury she picked up early in the season, Wucherer still managed to play 27 matches for the Gophers last season, missing only 6. “I am destined to find everything again in 2025 and end my collegiate career on a high note,” she had added, but that’s looking like a distant dream right now.

An article shared by the official Minnesota website from August 27 gave an update on Wucherer’s chances of returning to the court for the 2025 college volleyball season. There are none. “Minnesota senior outside hitter  will be out for the remainder of the 2025 season,” the article arrives straight to the point without wasting any moment beating around the bush. Citing how the lingering back injury has been causing Wucherer trouble for a long time, the article notes, “This decision was made out of an abundance of caution for her health. She has been dealing with a back injury since last season.”

The OH posted  2.49 kills, 1.34 digs, and 0.57 blocks per set in the 2024 college volleyball season, and bagged double-figure kills in 10 matches. She was also named in the 2025 Preseason All-Big Ten team. Goes without saying, her absence from the team will be a significant blow. And yet, the tough choice had to be made. “There’s nothing more important than the long-term health and wellness of our student-athletes. While we are disappointed that Mckenna won’t be playing this season, we are certain this decision is what’s best for her,” Coach Keegan Cook explained why the decision to redshirt Wucherer was necessary.

“While I am heartbroken to not be able to compete this year, I know this is the best decision for my long-term health. I am fully committed to using this time to put in the work behind the scenes to return stronger than ever for one final season,” Mckenna said, on how her sight is set on 2026. The 2022 Big Ten All-Freshman Team honoree also thanked the Minnesota medical staff, the coaches, and her family for sticking by her side.

However, while this is a hard pill to swallow, we bet Wucherer will be back in her natural habitat before too long. After all, historically speaking, life adversities aren’t something that has managed to keep her down. At the bare age of 3, Mckenna lost her mother, Wendy Wucherer, to breast cancer. In middle school, the future college volleyball star decided that she would wear pink shoes as a way of carrying her late mom’s memory to the court. Now, in addition to her signature shoes, the Gophers’ star also sports pink ties to keep her hair in place.

“I honestly think after a lot of girls saw me do it, I see them doing it now. I wanted to bring awareness to such a big issue,” Wucherer later said about the decision to incorporate a dash of personal touch to her uniform. Her dad, Greg, and two sisters also helped navigate Mckenna through the troubled times. “He was with me every step of the way. For every club tournament, he was there driving me eight hours to play volleyball, taking off work just so we could live out our dreams,” the Minnesota OH revealed in an interview in 2023 on how her father never left her side. Neither did her two elder sisters, who introduced her to volleyball at an early age.

Safe to say, with such a supportive bunch by her side, Wucherer will definitely bounce back from her ongoing setback in no time. But while we wait for her triumphant return to the volleyball court, we do need to brace ourselves for an incredible season ahead.

A scintillating 2025 college volleyball season beckons

This year, collegiate volleyball will have a lot to satisfy the fans’ needs. Among other things, the community would be eager to see how Penn State and Nebraska fare in the 2025 college volleyball season. The Nittany Lions scripted history last year, as head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley became the first-ever female head coach to win the NCAA title. With the team looking wobbly at the beginning of the season, fans can’t wait to see if the defending champs can find it in themselves and hold on to the silverware.

On the other hand, the Huskers have their own issues to deal with. Earlier this year, after having led the program for a quarter of a century, the legendary John Cook took his leave from Lincoln. Soon after that, Dani Busboom Kelly, a Nebraska alum and a national champion volleyball star, was announced as the next head coach for the program. While it was a difficult transition, players and the coaching staff didn’t lose sight of the bigger goal, and have looked confident in their shoes. And they have fans flying in from beyond the US borders to show support.

Moreover, last year’s NCAA runner-ups, the Louisville Cardinals, have also roped in Tory Dilfer, an alum of the program, to work with the team as an offensive consultant. So, in light of such shifts, how do you see the Golden Gophers faring against stacked opponents with one of their centerpieces missing from the team? Share your thoughts below.