Oct. 30, 2009
Box Score | Box Score 
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - The Wisconsin volleyball team (11-9 overall, 6-5 Big Ten Conference) earned its second consecutive win on Saturday against Michigan and is now tied for fourth place in the Big Ten. The Badgers defeated the Wolverines by scores of 26-24, 25-21, 20-25, 25-20 at the Cliff Keen Arena in Ann Arbor, Mich.
"It was really a great win for us on the road against a Big Ten team," said head coach Pete Waite. "We came out sharp in the first two sets and were able to hold them off after a couple late runs in each set. It was really representative of the team and how they stayed on the court after the third [set] to come back in the fourth [set] and win."
Brittney Dolgner and Allison Wack fueled the Badger's offense with double-digit kills. Dolgner scored 16 kills and added 11 digs, while Wack put down 15 kills. Dolgner and Wack were aided by Janelle Gabrielsen who dished out 44 assists.
The Badgers had a strong defensive game as four players had double-digit digs. Gabrielsen saved a team-high 13 shots and Kim Kuzma had 12. Kirby Toon added a career-high 11 digs, while Dolgner matched her with 11, as well.
Both Elle Ohlander and Alexis Mitchell had three blocks. However, Wisconsin was out-blocked by Michigan, 10-7, as Veronica Rood led the Wolverines with nine stuffs.
"Overall it was a very solid match for us," Waite said. "We have really evolved a lot in the way we play. We play with a lot more confidence, better ball control, better serving. We're a much lower error team. That's really helped us in the Big Ten."
Michigan (18-6, 6-5) equaled Wisconsin in putting down 55 kills collectively. Alex Hunt highlighted the Michigan offense with 19 kills and a .359 hitting percentage. Rood also had a strong offensive match in connecting on .450 percent of her shots and scoring 11 kills. Lexi Zimmerman put up a match-high 46 assists.
The first set was knotted up at 13 until the UW offense hit full stride. The Badgers went on a 9-3 run to take a 22-16 advantage. The Wolverines refused to go down quietly, though, as they responded with a 5-1 run to trail, 23-22. Wack capped off the set with a service ace, however, to give the Badgers a 26-24 victory.
Wisconsin's offense continued to produce in the second set. With the score tied at 8, UW went on a 7-3 run to lead Michigan 15-11. Wisconsin would maintain the lead throughout the set, netting a 25-21 win.
Both teams were neck and neck in the third set until the score was tied at 10. Michigan then distanced the score with a 5-1 run to take a 15-11 lead. UW was unable to overcome the deficit and the Wolverines took the set, 25-20.
The first half of the fourth set saw 11 ties before the Badgers could take control. The score was tied at 13 but Wisconsin would roll on an 8-3 run to lead, 22-16. The Badgers were able to close out the match with a 25-20 victory.
"Naturally that's a big win for us in the RPI and and possible rankings later on," Waite said. "It leaves us tied for fourth place in the Big Ten standings. Moving up a notch in the Big Ten standings is super but we have another match tomorrow and we have to come out strong against Michigan State."
Wisconsin takes on Michigan State on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. at the Jenison Field House in East Lansing, Mich. Live stats are available here.
