NCAA berth on the line for Badger volleyball
November 27, 2008 | Volleyball
It all comes down to this weekend for the Wisconsin volleyball team. The Badgers ((17-13 overall, 7-11 Big Ten) are still battling for a spot in the 2008 NCAA tournament. With two matches remaining, both against teams that defeated the UW during the first half of Big Ten play and are ranked in the top 25, the Badgers probably need to win at least one match in order to qualify for post-season play. Wisconsin hosts 16th-ranked Illinois (22-7, 13-5) on Friday at 7 p.m. and 18th-ranked Purdue (22-8, 11-7) on Saturday at 7 p.m.
'This weekend is big for us,' said UW coach Pete Waite. 'We 've got two ranked opponents coming in and we really need to get at least one of them to have a shot at the NCAA tournament this year. I think, at this point, we 're maybe a bubble team and we have a shot, but getting a win would be fantastic for us.'
The Badgers have struggled of late, losing four of their last five. Wisconsin played three ranked teams during that stretch, including a match at No. 1-ranked Penn State. UW lost to the Nittany Lions and also fell at No. 20 Michigan and was edged by No. 15 Minnesota in five sets at home. On the season, Wisconsin has lost four five-set matches and dropped 14 sets by only two points.
'We've been playing well, just not getting over the hump and getting some of the wins,' explains Waite. 'The Big Ten is tough this year. (The conference is) up more than I've probably seen them in my 10-year career. In a year of transition for us, it's a challenge to get those big wins, but being here at home is great for our last weekend.'
Three seniors ' Audra Jeffers, Faye McCormack and Morgan Salow ' also play their final regular-season home matches.
The Badgers also hope that junior Brittney Dolgner, who missed the Penn State match due to an ankle injury, returns to the lineup this weekend.
'We'll rest her most of this week and hopefully her ankle will heal up enough to get her on the court again,' said Waite of Dolgner. 'We need her as a passer, we need her as an attacker and she's just a great spirit on the team. We'll practice assuming she might not be available, but hopefully that she will be available.'
During the first half of the Big Ten season, Wisconsin traveled to then-No. 21 Purdue, falling in five sets, and also lost at then-No. 17 Illinois in three sets. In addition to evening the season series with these teams, Waite also hopes that a win or two this weekend will get the Badgers into the NCAA tournament.
' ' the Big Ten is very strong this year,' said Waite. 'I think it's to our benefit the Big Ten is so tough, we have so many ranked teams at the top (and) we're playing good teams all the time. I think that will help us. Hopefully, that will get us over the hump, but I'd rather guarantee it by getting a win or two wins this weekend.
'We're a much better team from the beginning of the Big Ten schedule. We are much better. It's just a matter of getting those big wins.'
The 64-team field for the 2008 NCAA Tournament will be announced live on Sunday at 9 p.m. CT on ESPNU.
FOLLOW THE BADGERS
If you can't make it to the Field House this weekend, follow the Badgers by listening to all matches on The Mic (WXXM 92.1 FM) or online on eid=wbg&.done=http%3a//sports.yahoo.com/top/collegebroadcast"> --> Yahoo!Sports. Jon Arias calls all of the action.
Both matches will be video streamed live at UWBadgers.com and live stats are also available on the Game Day page.
