In a pair of three-and-outs, the No. 14 Wisconsin volleyball team (4-0 Big Ten, 12-2 overall) came out of its second weekend of conference play with a perfect record against Big Ten teams by toppling Michigan State (1-3, 10-4) Friday and No. 24 Michigan (0-4, 13-4) Saturday. The wins move the Badgers past No. 11 Purdue (3-1, 13-2) and into second place in the conference behind undefeated No. 2 Penn State (4-0, 15-0).
Wisconsin put forth an impressive performance in its ability to attack and dig with a 30-22, 30-25, 30-26 victory over the Spartans Friday night. As a team, the Badgers had a .385 hitting percentage and 42 digs on the night. Senior middle blocker Amy Bladow provided the biggest threat up front, throwing down 11 kills on 17 attempts and putting up a team-high five blocks. The Badgers' defense managed to hold Michigan State outside hitter Katie Johnson to only six kills on 20 attempts for the match, a remarkable accomplishment considering Johnson came into the evening averaging more than five kills per game.
""I'm rather pleased with the way the team played [Friday night],"" UW head coach Pete Waite said. ""This is a very good Michigan State team and we know they have a couple of great weapons, and the fact that we held Johnson to six kills on the match and a .150 hitting percentage says a lot for our defense.""
In the showdown against Michigan on Saturday night, Wisconsin displayed an even more dominant display against a top 25 team, pounding the Wolverines 30-24, 30-19, 30-16. Every player on the Badger offense racked up better than a .293 hitting percentage except for freshman outside hitter Brittney Dolgner, who put up a team-best 11 kills for the night. The Badgers outdug the Wolverines 46 to 39 and outblocked Michigan with 14.5 team blocks to their one. Senior outside hitter Maria Carlini put up big numbers in both offensive and defensive categories, coming up with eight digs, three blocks, two service aces and nine kills with no hitting errors.
""I'm really happy with that win [Saturday night],"" Waite said. ""I think for two nights in a row, we played some real solid ball as a team, made it hard for the opponents to hit around us. [We] blocked extra well tonight—14.5 to one is outstanding. And the hitting percentages we're putting up are better than we have had, I think, in years.""
""It felt good tonight,"" junior middle blocker Taylor Reineke said of UW's blocking game against Michigan. ""We were definitely clicking and closing the seams. We worked on it all week in practice and it definitely showed tonight.""
Junior middle blocker Maya Carroll came off the bench in the third game of the Michigan match after several chants from the student section to let her play on her 20th birthday. To the delight of the fans, Carroll contributed one kill, one service attempt and a perfect 1.000 hitting percentage in her brief stint against the Wolverines.
""That was a little gift from us and from the whole team,"" Waite said.
With six consecutive wins under their belts, including four straight conference victories, the Badgers appear to be working themselves into an efficient rhythm. Wisconsin has consistently put up better numbers than their opponents in nearly every category during the past two weeks and has won every game in that span by no fewer than four points—a feat not even Penn State can boast.
""It's pretty visible,"" Waite said of the team's confidence level. ""Part of it is being home, and it makes them feel extra good. But they've been doing it on the road too, and I think that comes with the maturity of the team and the fact that there really are a lot less weaknesses in the group.""
""We feel great,"" senior middle blocker Maria Carlini said. ""We're always having a good time and you can tell. It shows on the court, we're excited after every play.""
The Badgers travel to Ohio State and Penn State next weekend.
