After losing in the Final Four championship by a mere two points, the Badger Women’s volleyball team is back with a fresh roster. With 11 newcomers and zero seniors on the team, the Badgers look to returnering players to step up.
One of the returners is sophomore libero Kristen Simon. Even though she is only a sophomore, her leadership role on the team is essential for Wisconsin’s title dreams. She had 375 digs and 121 assists last season, stepping up tremendously even as a freshman. Simon told the Cardinal she saw last year as a growing year for herself, setting the expectations high for this year.
“Everyday we watch film and just see what things I am doing better everyday, [and] what little things can I improve each day,” Simon told theCardinal.
The Badgers are facing arguably their toughest non-conference schedule in the school's history. Opening up against Kentucky, who knocked them out in December, followed by Louisville, Stanford, Pittsburgh, Florida, Auburn, Texas A&M — defending NCAA champs — and Texas.
With the Big Ten conference already being a powerhouse, the Badgers are looking to challenge themselves in every aspect of the season. Simon said the Badgers will go into the season at full speed, treating every match as if it were another Final Four championship.
“We try to approach every game the same… and keep that consistency throughout the year,” Simon said. “We are preparing for the hardest game right off the bat instead of just rolling into it.”
The Badgers are carrying that mentality from last season and elevating it everyday, with the returning players helping gel everything together. In the words of former middle blocker Carter Booth who created last season’s rally cry: Refuse to Frickin Loose, which was later embroidered inside the Final Four ring and stays true this season.
Entering her sophomore season as one of the Badgers’ strongest players, Simon has the opportunity to build on last year’s experience while creating a smooth roster transition .
“As the only libero coming back from last year, it's really [all about] getting the rest of the liberos on the same page, getting them with the program and how we learn things,” Simon said.
As for the team's overall mentality, they continue to train and build connections, on and off the court. Simon said the team’s performance relies on their chemistry and communication.
“It is [about] how we can work together as a team everyday to keep elevating the people around us and making each other better,” Simon said.
With Kentucky looming in Milwaukee on August 21, the Badgers must work together to figure out what the identity and expectations of this team are. The success last year does not guarantee anything, but these girls know they have the talent, grit and dedication to make some noise.
Because as always, they RTFL.
