More Than Victory at Stake in Volleyball Match
November 20, 2002 | Volleyball
When the Wisconsin volleyball team takes on Northwestern tonight at 7 p.m. in the UW Field House, there is more at stake than a victory.
The 14th-ranked Badgers (20-7 overall, 11-5 Big Ten) will be looking to avenge a loss to the Wildcats from earlier this season. On Oct. 23, Wisconsin lost to Northwestern for the first time since 1988, snapping a streak of 27 straight victories.
Northwestern (16-12, 9-7) needs a couple more wins to secure a place in the 2002 NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats, who have not appeared in the post-season classic since 1984, are in a three-way tie for third place in the Big Ten Conference.
Behind conference champion Minnesota (28-3) and second-place Wisconsin and Penn State (21-6), there is a logjam in the middle of the Big Ten. Indiana (18-10) has the next best overall record but the Hoosiers are tied for seventh in the league at 8-8. Michigan State (16-10) is also tied for seventh but the Spartans have the next best overall record. Ohio State (15-10) is next based on winning percentage, having won its last four matches. The Buckeyes join the Wildcats and Michigan (15-11) at fourth place in the league. The Wolverines have the eighth best winning percentage and could be on the bubble for the tournament.
Eight Big Ten teams competed in the NCAA tournament in 1999, a conference record. Six teams qualified in 1997, 1998, and 2000 while in 2001, only five teams advanced.
