The home stretch
November 14, 2008 | Volleyball
With just six matches remaining to the 2008 regular season, the Wisconsin volleyball team (16-10 overall, 6-8 Big Ten Conference) returns to the UW Field House this weekend to host No. 15 Minnesota and Iowa. The Badgers play four of their last six matches at home as they make a push for the 2008 NCAA Tournament. Wisconsin is currently tied with Indiana for sixth place in the conference race.
The Golden Gophers (20-6, 10-4) come to town Friday for the Border Battle and the match begins at 7 p.m. Minnesota currently leads Wisconsin 120-60 in this year's Border Battle race and the winner of Friday's contest gets 20 points for its team. The Gophers are currently tied for second in the conference with Illinois. Friday, UW students can receive a free pair of Crocs at the match while supplies last.
On Sunday, Iowa (13-13, 5-9) comes to town for a 1 p.m. match. After starting the season strong, the Hawkeyes have lost four straight and face Northwestern Friday before their match against the Badgers. Sunday is also Senior Day and the Badgers will honor seniors athid=5581&deptid=133"> --> Morgan Salow , athid=5580&deptid=133"> --> Faye McCormack and team captain athid=5196&deptid=133"> --> Audra Jeffers before the match.
If you are unable to make it to the Field House this weekend, there are a number of ways to follow the Badgers. Live stats and a Web stream will be available on the sportid=133"> --> Game Day page and you can tune your radio dial to 92.1 The Mic to listen to Jon Arias on the call. This radio broadcast is also available for a fee on Yahoo! Radio . The new and improved blogid=1070"> --> Volleyball Blog will also be live from Friday's match.
Before you come to the matches this weekend, get to know junior outside hitter athid=6057&deptid=133"> --> Caity DuPont and the volleyball influence her two sisters had on her while growing up.
The DuPont family is no stranger to the volleyball court. Caity is the youngest of the three DuPont girls and learned from the best; her older sisters Julie (26) and Alicia (23). Julie was a third-team All-American at the University of Cincinnati while Alicia also played volleyball on the UW club team.
How did you first get involved with volleyball'
My family fell in love with volleyball a long long time ago. I was that little kid that was always in the gym watching my sisters play. My parents coached my sisters' and my team in grade school and then got us all involved with Milwaukee Sting Volleyball Club. I started playing for Sting in fifth grade.
How much influence did your sisters have in your early playing career'
I always wanted to do what my sisters were doing so when they played volleyball, I did too. My dad couldn't wait to get his third daughter on the court so he let me try out for Sting when I was in fifth grade. (My sisters had to wait until they were in seventh grade.) When Julie went to play at Cincinnati, I knew that I wanted to play in college as well. My sister Alicia had a big influence on my coming to Wisconsin. She really wanted me on campus with her and knew I would love it here. She was right!
Do you have any funny memories of all of you playing volleyball together'
Julie used to help out at some of my practices growing up and she'd always have tips for me. If we ever got to scrimmage against each other, it was always really competitive. Alicia and I got to play on the same high school team together for one year. It was really fun being able to play with her. She was my setter!
How often did you get to watch your sisters play'
I only made it to about four matches a year when Julie played. It was tough getting to her games with a busy high school schedule and the games being a few hours away. I regret not going to more. Alicia played for the Wisconsin club team and was the club president her senior year. I was able to make it to a few of her tournaments. She's so supportive of Julie and I with our volleyball so it was nice to be able to return the support.
You say your sister Julie is your favorite athlete, why is that'
Julie is a fierce competitor. She played with so much fire and she was a great leader on her team. She was just an amazing player, but she also had an identity off the volleyball court which is something I admire. Both of my sisters are amazing role models for me and they have each taught me so much about the person I strive to be.
What is the best piece of advice you 've received from Julie'
She tells me to have fun with what I'm doing because my college career only lasts so long. However, I'd have to say she leads by example more than actually giving me advice. She is very responsible and hard working. I want to make her proud.
What is your relationship like today with your sisters'
Well, we are pretty much your average sisters. I love them and miss them. We catch up on the phone when we get time. It's nice that I get to see them a lot during the fall because they're able to come to my matches.
What else do you and Julie have in common aside from volleyball'
Julie knows that she can call me about any Jane Seymour and Celine Dion news!
