Riding a four-match winning streak, the Wisconsin volleyball team (4-1) will venture from its home confines of the Field House this weekend to compete in the Panther Invitational at the Klotsche Center in Milwaukee.
The No. 11 Badgers come off a dominating performance in which they won nine straight games to sweep the InnTowner Invitational last weekend. However, head coach Pete Waite expressed concern over Wisconsin's inability to close out games when holding substantial leads, and the greatest challenge for the team heading into this weekend's play may be maintaining intensity against another trio of mediocre opponents.
First on the agenda for the Badgers will be the Northern Colorado Bears (3-3), who are playing their first season at the Division 1 level. The team finished second in the Wolfpack Classic last weekend, led by freshman setter Kristen Schevikhoven who averaged 8.30 assists, 3.90 digs, 1.80 kills and 0.50 blocks per game over the three matches and was named tournament MVP.
After playing an exhibition match against the Windsor Lancers, the Badgers will finish the tournament by facing host UW-Milwaukee (4-2). Led by tournament MVP Leanne Felsing, the Panthers swept the Bama Bash in Tuscaloosa last weekend. The Panthers are a lowly 1-17 all-time against ranked opponents, but their one victory came in 1999 against the Badgers, the last time Wisconsin visited the Klotsche Center. Wisconsin was ranked ninth at the time. Though the Badgers have defeated the Panthers in the teams' previous two meetings, UW-Milwaukee will likely be their most formidable opponent.
Also at stake is junior Jocelyn Wack's NCAA record streak of matches with 10 or more digs, which now stands at 69.
Wisconsin's participation in the tournament marks the first time a Big Ten team has played in the Panther Invitational, now in its ninth running. Other big-conference teams have participated, however, as Alabama from the SEC won the tournament last year.
The Badgers are in the middle of their pre-season tournament schedule and will travel cross country to play in the University of San Diego Invitational Sept. 15-16 before beginning conference play Sept. 22.
