It took four games, but the No. 9 Wisconsin volleyball team took Saturday's Big Ten matchup against Michigan State 30-26, 30-18, 25-30, 30-17. The win moved the Badgers to 12-1 on the season and kept their Big Ten record unblemished at 4-0.
Wisconsin was led by sophomores Katherine Dykstra and Brittney Dolgner, who each compiled 11 kills on the night. Senior setter Jackie Simpson dished out 38 assists for the Badgers, and senior Amanda Berkley had a team-high three service aces in the match.
The real story of the night was the Badgers' defense. Wisconsin totaled 17.5 team blocks against the Spartans, led by a career-high 13 stuffs from senior middle hitter Taylor Reineke. Dykstra also added seven, tying her career high.
The Badgers held Michigan State to just .143 hitting on the night, and the Spartans' kill leader and Pre-Season All Big Ten selection Katie Johnson to a -.069 hitting percentage.
I was really pleased at the way we blocked tonight,"" said Head Coach Pete Waite. ""We were able to hold [outside hitter Jessica] Hole and Johnson to negative hitting percentage.""
Senior libero Jocelyn Wack also added 11 digs to the box score, tallying her 105th career double-digit digging game of her storied career.
The loss dropped the Spartans to 9-7 on the season and 0-4 in the Big Ten.
Wisconsin's victories in Evanston, Ill., and East Lansing, Mich., concluded a 10-game tour spanning the month of September. The Badgers' only loss during the circuit away from home was to host Brigham Young in the BYU Molten Classic on Aug. 31.
""We're getting used to being on the road, but it will be good to be back in front of our friends and family,"" Wack said.
""I think our fans miss our players and our players miss our fans,"" said Waite. ""For those students that haven't seen us play yet, it will be great to have the student section back in here for us.""
Wisconsin will host Purdue and Indiana this weekend in its Big Ten home opener. Friday's bout against the Boilermakers marks Wisconsin's return to the UW Field house after a 41-day absence from the last home match.
First serves for the weekend slate are both set for 7 p.m.
- uwbadgers.com contributed to this report.
