Volleyball Hosts NCAA First and Second Rounds
November 29, 2007 | Volleyball
For the fourth-straight year, the Wisconsin volleyball team will host first and second-round matches of the NCAA tournament. The eighth-ranked Badgers (25-4) face Northern Iowa (22-10) in the first round of the NCAA Division I Championship Friday at 7 p.m. in the UW Field House. No. 16 San Diego (21-7) takes on Iowa State (17-13) in the opening first-round match at 5 p.m.
'We're looking forward to hosting (the first and second rounds) this weekend,' said Coach Pete Waite on Monday. 'We've got some strong teams coming in. They're teams we're familiar with, (teams) we 've played either this year or last year. We'll be working on them this week once the tapes come in and get ready in the gym.'
The Badgers received an at-large bid to their 16th overall and 12th consecutive NCAA tournament. The UW is 28-15 (.651) in 15 post-season appearances. Wisconsin has advanced to regional play the last three years and hopes the same holds true for this season as the Badgers host one of four NCAA regionals on Dec. 7-8.
First-round winners play on Saturday at 7 p.m. for the right to advance to NCAA regional play. Three other second-round winners will come to Madison on Dec. 7 to play in two regional semifinals. The regional final will be held on Dec. 8 at 8 p.m. with the winner advancing to the national championship in Sacramento, Calif., on Dec. 13 and 15.
Waite is familiar with the national championship as his 2000 squad finished second in the NCAA championship. The ninth-year head coach sees a lot of similarities between this year's team and the 2000 squad.
'I would compare this team to the team in 2000 that made it to the final four, just because of the depth they have, the physical ability they have on the court and the experience they have, having this senior group of five that have been starters for the last four years,' commented Waite. 'They've got all the tools and everything has been laid and the groundwork is in place for them to have a good run, but obviously you've got to prove it then when you walk on the court, starting Friday. But as far as teams and level, I think this is right up there with that 2000 team. '
The Badgers must first get by some strong first and second-round opponents. Wisconsin downed Northern Iowa, 3-0, on Sept. 1 at the BYU Classic in Provo, Utah. The UW also faced San Diego at the San Diego Invitational on Sept. 16, 2006, winning 3-1. The Badgers swept Iowa State in the second round of the 2006 NCAA tournament in the Field House.
'We played Northern Iowa at BYU (earlier this season),' commented Waite. 'They won their conference tournament, the Missouri Valley. I know the coaching staff very well and they're a scrappy team'they're a physical team.'
Waite feels that his team is playing some of its best ball of the season. 'As of last Monday at Ohio State, I thought they were on top of their game when (we) won in three (games) and then again against Minnesota on Saturday. It was really good. We like what they're doing right now.'
The Badgers are also excited to play in front of their home crowd this weekend.
'Our crowd has been great all year,' said Waite. 'They 're setting another (attendance) record in Big Ten play. I know they love watching the team play and the team just plays another level up when they're here at home. It's great the kids can be here, take care of their classes, be rested, have family here and be ready for a great weekend, because these are some tough teams.
'I think it's not always how the other team might be intimidated by our crowd, but its how our team raises their level up and how our crowd inspires them. If we even slow down for two points, they start clapping and cheering, and it just inspires them to focus more and get the next play and get the next point. It's happened all year and it's just going to get better for NCAA play because it means so much more now.'
The Badgers will be led by seniors Taylor Reineke and Jackie Simpson as well as sophomore Brittney Dolgner, who were all named to the All-Big Ten team earlier this week. Reineke was named for the third consecutive season while Simpson and Dolgner earned their second honors in a row.
