Box Score 
MADISON, Wis. - Behind a season-high 10 blocks, the Wisconsin volleyball team evened its record with a win over New Mexico State at the Notre Dame/adidas Invitational. The Badgers swept the Aggies 25-21, 25-19, 25-23 to improve to 4-4 on the year.
'"It was a nice win to bounce back after the loss to Notre Dame,'" said UW coach Pete Waite. "'Just like a week ago, the team learned through watching some video on their previous match, to see how to correct things and come out better."
'"I thought our serving was much better and our passing was solid, allowing us to run our offense. Our blocks were better with a season high 10 blocks in just three sets, ' that''s progress. We like seeing that."'
Senior Brittney Dolgner led Wisconsin with a match-high 12 kills as the Badgers dominated offensively. UW had 41 kills and hit .178 while New Mexico State totaled 29 kills and hit just .076. Kirby Toon added eight kills for the Badgers while Caity DuPont hammered down seven scores. The Aggies were led by Krista Altermatt with eight kills.
Janelle Gabrielsen put up 25 of the UW''s 35 assists.
The Badgers' season-high 10 blocks came primarily in the first set, where UW had six stuffs. Sophomore Elle Ohlander led all players with five blocks, including one solo. Toon, DuPont and Kelsey Maloney added three blocks for the UW.
Wisconsin had only 35 digs in the match, led by nine from Kim Kuzma. The Aggies tallied 37 digs, including a match-high 14 from Kelsi Phillips.
DuPont continued her strong serving weekend, leading all players with three aces. The Badgers tallied five aces and eight errors. The 6-0 outside hitter had seven aces in two matches.
'"We were more consistent throughout this match and that was another goal of ours, ' not have the highs and lows but to stay steady and strong throughout the whole match,"' said Waite. '"There were times we were down and came back and other times where New Mexico State made some surges and we held them off. I thought that was really good."'
Led by six team blocks, the Badgers won the first set. Wisconsin trailed 12-8 before going on a 5-0 run to take a 13-12 lead. DuPont had two kills and a block to lead the rally. The Aggies tied the set at 13 and it was tied three more times, including at 20-20. Toon went to work, scoring four of UW's next five points. She had two kills and teamed with Maloney on two blocks to key the win.
The second set was tied five times early, including at 12-12. Wisconsin went up 18-12 as Toon had a kill and service ace. NMSU would pull within three (18-15) but a zero hitting percentage by the Aggies for the set gave the Badgers at two sets to none lead at the break.
Wisconsin led early in the third set but New Mexico State rallied to tie the set at 10. The period was tied six more times, including at 21-21 before Dolgner hammered down two kills and added a block solo to put the Badgers up 24-21. The Aggies held off two match points by the UW before a Maloney kill put the match away.
'"Kelsey Maloney sparked us off the bench with six kills and no errors, including the match-winning hit,'" said Waite. '"That''s awesome. '"
The Badgers wrap up the nonconference portion of their season on Wednesday at Green Bay. The Big Ten Conference season opens Sept. 23 against Iowa in the UW Field House.
'"We''ll prepare for Green Bay and again, try to improve upon some areas,"' said Waite. '"Then we''re in the Big Ten season. It went by quickly and we'll get after it at Green Bay and go from there." '
