The Wisconsin women’s volleyball team (4-8 Big Ten, 16-9 overall) played against Illinois (4-8, 10-12) Friday in what was a tough-fought match that went four sets. The Badgers came out and lost the first set 22-25, but there were definite signs of improvement in their play from last week.
Despite seven errors in the first set, junior libero Annemarie Hickey noticed better communication.
“The team was definitely communicating better,” Hickey said. “Our blockers were communicating really well so there were less seams in the block.”
The Badgers fought back to win the second set 25-20 and carried that momentum through the rest of the match, winning the third and fourth sets to walk away with a much-needed home victory.
Junior right setter Julie Mikaelsen led the team in kills, tying her career high of 19, and also managed eight blocks for the Badgers.
“[Mikaelsen] had a monster night,” said head coach Pete Waite. “In a lot of ways, it wasn’t just the swing she took. She made a lot of great sets, great saves in the back court chasing things down.”
Hickey had a season-high 30 digs even though she took a tough slide early in the first set. The injured Hickey credited the blockers for making her job easier.
The Badgers controlled the net very well Friday. They had 14.5 total team blocks in comparison to Illinois’ nine.
Unfortunately for Wisconsin, its ability to start off hot did not transfer very well to Sunday afternoon when the Badgers hosted Northwestern (4-8, 15-8).
Northwestern took advantage of the beginning of the set, coming out and taking five points before allowing Wisconsin to score. Northwestern also went on a seven-point run in the first set to move its lead from 16-8 to 23-8. The Wildcats would walk away with the set 25-11.
Wisconsin came played much better in the second set. The Badgers obtained a 26-24 victory and carried their solid play into the third set, quickly pulling out a 25-9 victory.
Northwestern bounced back in the fourth set, however, with a 25-18 victory and took the decisive fifth set 16-14.
Despite the disappointing outcome, Wisconsin saw some impressive individual performances. In particular, senior middle blocker Alexis Mitchell had 19 kills and 7 blocks. Hickey added 24 digs.
“We have to stay playing the good consistent ball that we know we’re capable of to compete in the Big Ten,” Waite said.
Wisconsin will travel to Ohio State and Penn State this weekend. The Badgers lost to both teams at home earlier this season.
