Wisconsin (13-7 Big Ten, 21-10 overall) took sole possession of fourth place in the Big Ten this weekend with wins over Indiana and Purdue at the Field House. Friday versus Indiana, UW came out slow but beat Indiana three games to one.
Sophomore outside hitter Aubrey Meierotto led the team with 21 kills, while senior outside hitter Lisa Zukowski had 20 kills. Senior setter Morgan Shields had 66 assists and 16 digs on the night, while senior libero Jill Maier also had 16 digs.
??\I was really happy with the defense we played ... we outhit them by a high percentage,"" said UW Head Coach Pete Waite. ""That's the level of ball we want to be playing.""
Shields broke her own school record in Big Ten assists with 1,066 in conference play. In her career, she is third all-time in UW history with 3,941 assists.
Purdue was victim to a powerful Badger offense as Wisconsin won Saturday in straight sets, 30-25, 30-26, 30-25 to win on Senior Night. Maier had 14 digs and Zukowski had 16 of the team's 59 kills.
""It was nice to see our seniors go out-play a good match,"" said Waite. ""We're going to miss them. There's no doubt. They've done some awesome things here for us.""
The Badgers also received word that they will be playing in the NCAA tournament for the eighth consecutive time, but Wisconsin will not host a tournament game this year as they are scheduled to travel to College Station, Texas.
""I can never predict the NCAA tournament pairings,"" said Head Coach Pete Waite. ""It's hard to understand why some people host. I actually thought we might stay and have to play against a Big Ten team-maybe Minnesota or at Illinois. But we're traveling now, that surprises me.""
The Badgers are matched up in the opening round against the Arizona Wildcats (17-14). The two teams square off Friday night.
""This is a chance to go against a great team,"" said Waite of the Wildcats. ""Arizona is an awesome team and they play in the Pac-10, which is very, very tough this year. They have Kim Glass, who has had an amazing career and she's only a sophomore. She's going to be a key to stop.""
Texas A&M, the highest of the four seeds playing at the College Station site, is hosting the opening round. The Aggies will battle Nicholls State (18-14) in the other opening round contest.
The Wisconsin/Arizona winner will take on the Texas A&M/Nicholls State winner Saturday.
