Oct. 16, 2009

Box Score

Box Score

MADISON, Wis. - Despite dominating in the first set, the Wisconsin volleyball team dropped three consecutive sets to lose to Purdue Friday night. The Badgers lost 25-16, 25-23, 25-21, 25-21 in front of 2,256 fans in the Holloway Gymnasium in West Lafayette, Ind.

"For whatever reason they [Purdue] didn't play their normal setter at the start and they were a little disorganized," head coach Pete Waite said. "We really came after them and Alexis [Mitchell] and Elle [Ohlander] were doing fantastic things out there. In the second set they put their setter back in and half way through, unfortunately, Elle hurt her ankle and we took her out. She had been almost unstoppable and the momentum went to their end of the net."

Although UW lost the match, Mitchell and Kim Kuzma each had impressive performances. Mitchell recorded 14 kills and 3 blocks, while maintaining a .636 hitting percentage. Kuzma sparked the Badgers' offense with a match-high four service aces, three of which occurred in the first set.

"Alexis was phenomenal tonight with an unreal hitting percentage," Waite said. "She has come so far it's unbelievable."

Ohlander was able to return later in the match to finish with 10 kills and three block assists. Brittney Dolgner posted a double-double with 10 kills and 12 digs, while Janelle Gabrielsen directed the Badgers' offense in putting up a match-high 41assists.

Ariel Turner led the Boilermakers with a match-high 22 kills and connected on .476 percent of her shots, while also chipping in eight digs. Carrie Gurnell added 10 kills for Purdue. Jaclyn Hart helped set up much of Purdue's scoring with 35 assists, while maintaining a .333 hitting percentage.

After establishing a 10-6 lead in the first set, UW never looked back and ended the set on a 12-2 run, winning 25-16.

The Badgers stuck with Purdue in the second set until the score was tied at 13 apiece. The Boilermakers strung together an 8-1 run before UW came back to trail by only two, 22-20. However, Purdue proved to be too much as they squeaked by with a 25-23 victory.

Purdue gained an early two-point lead over Wisconsin, an advantage that remained consistent throughout the entire third set. The Badgers were never able to overcome the two-point deficit and the Boilermakers ended up winning the set by four points with a score of 25-21.

The fourth set was neck-and-neck as both teams continuously answered one another. With the score tied at 19, Wisconsin had two hitting errors. Purdue made the most of the opportunities by going on a crucial 3-0 run that resulted in a match victory as they took the set 25-21.

"We have to rebound after this match and get ready for Sunday," Waite said.

Wisconsin continues its road trip as it heads to Indiana to face the Hoosiers on Sunday at noon at the Rec Center.