In a tumultuous year for all of the sports world, the National Collegiate Athletic Association selection committee added one more wrinkle for the volleyball championships. Partially due to the events of Sept. 11, the committee decided to keep many teams from traveling long distances.
This put some geographically close teams in the same first- and second-round sites. In Madison, this means the Wisconsin Badgers will play host to in-state rival UW-Milwaukee, Big Ten rival Michigan State and Notre Dame. Following is a team-by-team breakdown of the four squads.
Outside of host Wisconsin, the Spartans (13-7 Big Ten, 20-7 overall) are the hottest of the six Big Ten squads in the NCAA Tournament. Going 9-1 in its final 10 games, Michigan State raised its confidence to a high level by putting together back-to-back road wins against Penn State and Ohio State. The winning run coincides with the Spartans' better play on the offensive end during the second half of the Big Ten season.
\I think we are playing significantly better than we did in the first half of the Big Ten,"" Spartan Head Coach Chuck Erbe said. ""I think we have shown that we are a different team.""
Michigan State's strength is its ability to block its opponents' attacks. Averaging 3.01 blocks per game, the Spartans force opponents into many hitting errors. Spearheading the block party is junior middle blocker Angela Morley. Her 2.96 blocks per game ranks the 6'4' native of Holland, Mich., 19th in the nation.
Offensively, opponents must be wary of senior outside hitter Erin Hartley. An All-Big Ten Team selection, the 6'3' Midland, Mich., native comes into the tournament with a Co-Big Ten Player of the Week honor after posting back-to-back 20-kill matches.
Despite the individual play, it is the mental makeup of the team that makes this squad a tough out in the tournament.
""I think we just grew up,"" Hartley said. ""We just carry [confidence] out on the court and we're more comfortable with ourselves.""
Like the Spartans, the Fighting Irish (12-0 Big East, 22-6 overall) utilize a blocking style game to frustrate their opponents. Though Notre Dame lost to seventh-ranked Florida in a final tune-up before the NCAA Tournament, the Irish are ready to play Friday night against Michigan State.
""We're looking forward to [tonight] when we can get out on the court,"" Irish Head Coach Debbie Brown said.
As good as the Spartans are in blocking attacks, Notre Dame is more than one-half a block per game better. The defensive leader for the Irish is senior middle blocker Malinda Goralski, who averages 1.71 blocks per game.
For one Notre Dame player, senior outside hitter Marcie Bomhack, this NCAA Tournament is a little more special: She is originally from Waukesha, Wis.
Bomhack is very excited to play in front of her family for the final time.
""Most of my family is from Wisconsin and I spent a lot of time here growing up as a kid, so it's really nice to come back here to Wisconsin,"" Bomhack said.
""I think we work harder when we're the underdog,"" senior middle blocker Chrissy Schurla said.
This mentality is exactly what the UW-Milwaukee Panthers (12-2 Horizon League, 20-7 overall) need as they prepare to play the sixth-ranked Wisconsin Badgers.
However, there is one person who believes this team's seeding belies the true talent of the squad.
""To be honest, I thought we deserved a better seed,"" Panthers Head Coach Kathy Litzau said.
Litzau could not be more accurate. Having made the tournament for the past three years, Milwaukee's low regional seed is misleading.
As for the team itself, while not as tall as the Badgers, UW-Milwaukee is a quick team that relies on keeping the ball in play to frustrate its opponents.
Pacing the attack is Schurla, with 3.11 digs per game, and senior outside hitter Laura Dallenbach and her 3.76 kills per contest.
What many do not realize is that the Panthers defeated Wisconsin in Madison two years ago. Because of the victory, a valuable lesson was taught to the players.
""What I learned from [the victory] was that it's not impossible to beat a sixth-seed,"" Dallenbach said.
For a team that is coming into the 2001 tournament as the defending national runner-up, one would expect the pressure to repeat to be ever-present.
But you would have to hire Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson to find any pressure in Wisconsin's locker room.
""Me personally, I am a very confident player and I don't let pressure get to me,"" senior outside hitter Sherisa Livingston said.
While a target may be on their backs, senior setter Lizzy Fitzgerald, the Big Ten Player of the Year, said she feels the team is playing well as the postseason approaches.
""I think we're going into the tournament with a lot of momentum,"" Fitzgerald said. ""And I still think we are getting better.""
That last statement could spell trouble for any opponent that Wisconsin has'UW-Milwaukee or anyone down the road.
