Sept. 29, 2010

Recap |  Box Score

Post-match quotes

Wisconsin head coach Pete Waite

Opening statement: "In a lot of ways, we did a lot of great things. We had a top-10 team on the ropes. Especially into the third, with maybe a 20-16 lead or something like that. We couldn't quite hold them off and I think that was a real critical set in the match. But looking at things we're doing, there's a lot of good signs out there. We're getting very close to breaking through and breaking out, and having a great match together as a team. We've been hitting top 10 teams the last two matches, top 25 the last three and Friday. They're tasting it, they are getting close and they're ready to grab one here."

On not being able to close out sets: "It's hard to pinpoint (why we can't close out sets). It's a matter of overdoing things, working extra hard, staying real focused and it comes down to the discipline in practice and then bringing it to a match. That's the biggest thing. We can't just sputter and do it sometimes and be great part of the time. If you're missing even five percent of the time, that the time that can be the difference of a two-point set, like in the third there. We will continue to work on it in practice but it's a matter of bringing it to the match. That's the thing, you have to be a gamer. You have to bring your best game and solid game in every aspect of the game, so the opponent has no opportunity to grab it away from you."

On the positive things to take away from today's match: "I think the fact that we just battled a top 10 team that just beat a three-time national champion. I think that's excellent. We took one of their kill leaders and they ended up subbing her out of the match because we handled her pretty well. Their hitting percentage, .170, I am guessing that's one of the lowest they've had this season. There's a lot of good things. We matched them in digs. I think there were a lot of good things that we will take from (the match) and if anything, it's to be more hungry next time to get it and really break through."

On Illinois' defense: "Illinois is a good block and defending team. They do a lot of good things, they touch the ball a lot. I think in general though, instead of attacking the block and attacking the deep spots on the floor, we avoided it sometimes, causing an error by hitting out of bounds. We need to try to not be so perfect because it's great to hit off the top of the block and late in the match, Elise started hitting off the top of the block and scoring really well."

Kim Kuzma

On how the team shut down Illinois' middles: "I think we did really good job serving. I think in the second game we didn't serve as well, but in the first, third and fourth, I think we kept them out of their offense a lot. We have been working really hard on pushing the ball deep and getting them off the net so the setter can't get the quick attack. I think we have been capitalizing on that and doing a really good job on that. Also, they have studs on the pins, so that's probably one of the reasons too."