Maria Carlini Is Seeing Double
October 07, 2005 | Volleyball
Junior Maria Carlini is one of the eighth-ranked Wisconsin volleyball team's most versatile players. Through 43 games this season, Carlini ranks second on the team in two major statistical categories, averaging 3.12 kills and 2.98 digs per game.
A benchmark for all-around performance on the volleyball court is the `double-double.' Double-figure statistics in two categories transcends many sports and indicates effectiveness in multiple aspects of the game which most players do not have. Carlini leads the team with 12 career `double-doubles' including four this season.
'I just think that is me playing an all-around game, ' said Carlini, a 6-2 outside hitter. 'It's good to be balanced in hitting and digging.'
The Badgers (12-1 overall, 4-0 Big Ten) will need balance on the court this weekend as they host 18th-ranked Ohio State (9-4, 2-2) Friday at 7 p.m. and fourth-ranked Penn State (13-2, 4-0) on Saturday at 7 p.m. Both matches are in the UW Field House where Wisconsin has won its last 15 matches.
'This weekend is going to be huge,' said Carlini. 'We're at home and if we want to win a Big Ten Championship we have to win at home because it's our facility and we have the best fans in the country. This weekend is vital to our Big Ten Championship.'
Carlini has been a valuable part of the UW attack this season with seven double-figure kill performances. Even though she has a total of 134 kills on the attack, Carlini refuses to take the majority of credit for her success and explained that her teammates are just as responsible.
'It really depends on the passes. To get the offense going, primary passers have to get the ball so they're in control of the offense, ' said Carlini. 'We have to have a good pass from the setters to run the ball to the outsides or to the middles.'
When not attacking the net, Carlini roams the back row looking to dig the opponent's attack attempts to start the UW offense. Carlini has 128 digs this season including a season-high 17 in Wisconsin's defeat of then-fifth-ranked Minnesota.
'Defense is really important,' said Carlini. 'Sometimes, everyone overlooks the defenders so when I have a great night digging, I'm just really happy.
'It helps that the blockers are doing so well that they 're channeling the ball to me. I just have a good old time digging.'
The Wisconsin blocking unit averages 3.45 blocks per game to lead the Big Ten and rank sixth nationally. Sheila Shaw is second in the conference with 1.63 blocks per game while Taylor Reineke is fourth with 1.53.
Carlini herself averages 0.44 blocks per game but did manage a career-high seven blocks in a match twice in 2004. Carlini hopes to add a third realm to her repertoire by contributing to the Badger block by improving her technique in practice.
'Right now, I'm emphasizing blocking because I 've been working really hard on trying to fix my block. So if I ever have a good blocking night, that means a lot,' said Carlini.
As the only international player on the roster, the LaSalle, Ontario native, often draws the team's attention when showing pride in her Canadian roots.
'Everyone on the team makes fun of my accent and how I say `Eh,'' said a joking Carlini. 'I'm patriotic but I 'm learning a lot about the States. I still sing the national anthem before every game but of course I still wear a lot of Canadian stuff. I take pride in where I come from. '
With all ribbing from her teammates aside, Carlini feels like an integral part of a potent, balanced Wisconsin team where every member can hurt the opponent.
'Everyone is going out there and being aggressive. The setters are doing a really good job of evening out the offense,' said Carlini. 'It's really hard for the blockers when you're not targeting on one person, you have five other hitters. I just think the setters are doing a really nice job of distributing the ball to everyone.'
