Oct. 3, 2009
Box Score
Box Score (PDF)
MADISON, Wis. - The Wisconsin volleyball team was swept by No. 1-ranked Penn State on Friday 25-18, 25-20, 25-16 at the Recreation Building in University Park, Pa.
“I was pretty pleased on how we competed,” said head coach Pete Waite. “Obviously, it’s [Penn State] a very difficult team, a two-time national championship team. They bring a lot of offense at you. They’re extremely tough at serving and can take you out of your offense.”
The Badgers (6-7 overall, 1-3 Big Ten Conference) didn’t pass well and struggled against Penn State’s serve game, which restricted UW from running its offense. Wisconsin connected on only .043 percent of their shots, but did hold Penn State to hitting 35.4 percent, well below their season average of .448.
Freshman Kirby Toon fueled Wisconsin’s offensive production as she totaled 10 kills and scored a match-high two service aces.
“Kirby Toon stepped up really well,” Waite said. “She was aggressive the whole time, scoring points and wasn’t fazed at all, so that was a great sign.”
Senior Brittney Dolgner also tallied nine kills, which were outweighed by her 12 hitting errors as she struggled to hit her shots consistently. Sophomore Janelle Gabrielsen directed the offense and totaled 27 of UW’s 29 assists.
Penn State (16-0, 4-0) bettered the Badgers in kills (41-31), assists (38-29), digs (29-21), and blocks (13-3). Blair Brown and Megan Hodge led the way for the Nittany Lions as they both scored a match-high 12 kills. Brown, a junior, also chipped in five assists and three digs to go along with her .409 hitting percentage. Senior Alisha Glass put up match-highs with 31 assists and 14 digs.
The Badgers gained an early 9-5 lead in the first set, but Penn State came back to knot up the score at 11. The Nittany Lions then broke open the set with a 4-0 run to take an 18-14 lead before winning the set 25-18. Penn State blocked six UW shots in the first set.
The second set featured six early ties. However, with the Badgers trailing 17-15, Penn State strung together a 3-0 run to take a 20-15 lead. Wisconsin never got closer than four as the Lions took the set 25-20.
Down 7-4 in the third set, the Badgers rallied to tie the score at eight. Penn State proved to be too strong as they overpowered UW en route to a 25-16 match victory.
Head coach Pete Waite said that although it was a difficult match, Wisconsin brought the type of energy necessary to compete in the Big Ten.
“Right now we just don’t match up with them and what they’re bringing, but I don’t think many people do,” Waite said. “I was pleased with the energy and effort, that’s what we’re looking for. That’s what we need to bring every weekend in the Big Ten. That’s what we want to see every time so we have a shot at the win.”
Wisconsin finishes its road trip with a 1-1 record and returns home where they face Michigan State on Friday at 7 p.m. in the UW Field House.
