Play with H.E.A.R.T.
That's the banner hung high above the
sport court from the balcony on the Field House's south side.
It's something to remind the girls to play and to bring it,"" junior outside hitter Caity DuPont said. ""Sometimes practices get long, and with the season not going the way anybody wants it to right now '¦ We all love this sport, it's just up there to remind us that we're here for a reason.""
That mantra stands for Hunger, Execution, Accountability, Respect and Teamwork - ideals that the team must play by to be successful.
""I think we know that it needs to come from our heart,"" DuPont said. ""We all have the physical ability to beat teams and be a great team, but we all know it has to come from our hearts.""
Wisconsin, faced with its worst conference record since head coach Pete Waite took the helm, has managed just a 5-7 Big Ten mark and lost four of its last five matches.
The Badgers will head to Ohio State and Michigan this weekend - a very important road swing if they want to qualify for their 13th consecutive NCAA berth.
""We have to get these two wins,"" DuPont said. ""Every match that we play now we're trying to fight to get back to .500 in the Big Ten '¦ We can't slack anymore.""
""In the Big Ten, there are no off weekends, no matter where you are in the season, you're always trying to get a step up on the competition and secure a place in the NCAA tournament,"" Waite said. ""That's a goal that they have right now, to battle and get the wins that they need to be selected.""
That task will not be easy, especially when facing a potent offense like the one they will see Saturday against the Wolverines. The Michigan attack is led by athletic freshman setter Lexie Zimmerman and her distribution of the ball.
""As a group, they're pretty solid this year,"" Waite said. ""Overall, it's probably the best Michigan team I've seen in my 10 years here.""
Michigan came to Madison in early October and took the first two sets before the Badgers rallied and stole the match from the visiting Wolverines.
Wisconsin will first take on Ohio State, a team they swept at home earlier this season, in Columbus Friday. While the Buckeyes have limped to a 1-11 conference record, Waite knows this team is not one to overlook.
""It's a team in transition,"" Waite said. ""They've got a new coach who's done a great job. I'm still looking at the scores and they are battling people. They're not giving up on the season. They're doing everything they can to get a win.""
Saturday's match in Ann Arbor will air live on the Big Ten Network. First serve is set for 5 p.m.
