Oct. 18, 2009
Box Score
vs. Indiana Box Score 
MADISON, Wis. - The Wisconsin volleyball team returned to the .500 mark and now holds sole possession of fifth place in the Big Ten Conference with a victory over Indiana on Sunday. The Badgers won in five sets by scores of 25-20, 15-25, 25-22, 17-25, 15-11 at the University Gym in Bloomington, Ind.
"I'm really pleased with the way our players responded after losing on Friday night to come back in here against a tough Indiana team and to withstand them to win in five," head coach Pete Waite said.
UW (9-8, 4-4 Big Ten) saw solid production from several different players, with Janelle Gabrielsen leading the way. Gabrielsen performed match-highs with 36 assists and 18 digs. The Badgers also switched in Jessa Benson, who had eight assists, while Gabrielsen switched to the attack and added six kills.
"There was some outstanding play from Janelle Gabrielsen," Waite said. "Not only was she setting a great match, but we also switched in Jessa Benson to set and Nelle was really effective as an attacker."
Kirby Toon put up solid numbers, scoring a team-high three service aces to go along with 12 kills and, eight digs. Brittney Dolgner led the Badgers with 15 kills. Alexis Mitchell also had a productive match, as she had nine of UW's season-high 14 blocks.
"Our service ace ratio was good, 6-2," Waite said. "Alexis Mitchell, with nine blocks, really came through for us."
Indiana had three players with double-digit kills and was led by Ashley Benson, who scored a match-high 17 kills. Indiana tried to shake things up as the Hoosiers utilized two setters. Mary Chaudoin put up 25 assists, while Whitney Granado had 22.
The first set started off back and forth until the Badgers led 12-10. UW then strung together a 10-3 run to take a 22-13 lead. Indiana scored five consecutive points, but the Badgers were able win the set 25-20.
"It was a great win for us on the road," Waite said. "We came out with a good first set, serving and passing."
The second set was tied up at 6-6, but Indiana then went on a 9-3 run to take a 17-9 advantage. Wisconsin was not able to recover as Indiana took the set 25-15.
"In the second set, Indiana picked up their serving and blocking and we weren't able to stay consistent," Waite said.
Wisconsin put a small run together in the third set to take a 13-9 lead over the Hoosiers, which they would not lose en route to a 25-22 set victory.
The exact opposite occurred in the fourth set as Indiana quickly grabbed a 10-4 lead over the Badgers and continued to build it to win the set, 25-17.
The fifth set was neck-and-neck until the score was knotted up at nine. Behind two kills from Toon, the Badgers put together a 6-2 run to win the match 15-11.
"Boy, we responded well in the fourth and fifth to finish the game," Waite said. "It was good to see the focus and intensity of our players."
With the victory, the Badgers have now established themselves as a consistent Big Ten team.
"It's going to be a battle between teams in the middle of the Big Ten and we want to be there," Waite said. "It was nice to get one of these on the road."
The Badgers kick off a two-game homestand next weekend when they face off against Illinois on Friday in the UW Field House at 7 p.m.
