Wisconsin (4-4 Big Ten, 9-8 overall) finishes off the first half of Big Ten play this weekend as two more tough opponents come to the Field House.
The Badgers play host to No. 8 Illinois Friday night at 7 and face Northwestern the next night at the same time.
""We've got two very good teams coming in. Illinois just beat [then-No. 6] Minnesota over the weekend in three. And Northwestern [has been] playing better than they have in years,"" head coach Pete Waite said.
The Badgers have stepped up their game in recent weeks. After beating Ohio State and Indiana on the road and topping two ranked teams, Michigan and Michigan State, Wisconsin is now in sole possession of fifth place in the Big Ten standings.
""They're starting to believe in themselves. They're starting to look at everybody as somebody they can beat, not somebody to be worried about so much, but somebody to go after,"" Waite said.
The players feel this shift in morale as well.
""We've beaten some really good teams that were ranked. Our confidence is definitely up from when we weren't doing so well,"" senior outside hitter Brittney Dolgner said.
Wisconsin will need all the newly found confidence they can get Friday night.
""Obviously, we're the underdogs,"" freshman middle blocker Alexis Mitchell said.
Illinois has won its past four matches, currently sitting second in Big Ten conference matches with an opponent hitting percentage of .175, 2.89 blocks per set and 15.32 digs per set. The Illini attack is led by junior outside hitter Laura DeBruler, who has knocked in 4.50 kills per set. DeBruler is directed by junior setter Hillary Haen, who has put up 11.62 assists per set. Junior middle blocker Johannah Bangert anchors the defense, averaging 1.50 stuffs per set, along with senior libero Ashley Edingerm, who has tallied 4.23 digs per set.
Coming off the big Illinois match on Friday, the Badgers need to maintain their focus going up against a less threatening Wildcat team. The Badgers may seem like the better team on paper, but the Big Ten is stacked from top to bottom with talented competition.
""Everybody is beating up on each other, so things are getting really interesting in the conference race,"" Waite said.
The Badgers must keep their eye out for senior libero Kate Nobilio, who leads the Big Ten with 4.56 digs per set. They must also be wary of junior setter Elyse Gab, who guides Northwestern's offense with 10.06 assists per set.
For Wisconsin to continue to play at its improved level this weekend, it will need production from not only its tested veterans but from their younger players, as well. Dolgner has to continue her recent excellence; she was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after the Badgers' last homestand.
""Obviously, attacking she's very good. Defensively, she's putting up good numbers. She's the true definition of a well-rounded player,"" Waite said.
Mitchell and freshman right-side hitter Kirby Toon have to remain dependable, as well. Mitchell had a career-high 14 kills against Purdue, and Toon is the Big Ten leader in conference matches with .39 aces per set.
