March 26, 2011

MADISON, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin volleyball team opened its spring season with a third-place finish at the Great Lakes Collegiate Invitational in Aurora, Ill., on Saturday. The Badgers went 2-1 on the day.

Wisconsin opened play with a 16-25, 25-19, 15-10 win over Louisville. Julie Mikaelsen led the Badgers with eight kills while Dominique Thompson added six kills. Crystal Graff made her collegiate debut, putting away five kills while Elle Ohlander chipped in four kills, including the game winner in the third set. Ohlander hit .571 for the match while Thompson hit .444.

UW was led defensively by Janelle Gabrielsen with 10 digs while Annemarie Hickey added nine digs.

The Badgers dropped their season match to eventual tournament champion Nebraska 25-21, 25-20. Mikaelsen again led Wisconsin offensively, putting away five kills. Kristy Bourquin and Ohlander added four kills apiece as the Badgers hit just .149 as a team. Hickey had nine digs in the first game vs. the Huskers.

The loss dropped Wisconsin into the third-place match vs. Western Michigan. After losing the first game 25-18, the Badgers rebounded to win the second game 25-16 and needed extra points to edge the Broncos 18-16 in the third game.

Graff led the Badgers with nine kills, including several out of the back row. Mikaelsen added seven kills while Bourquin and Bailey Reshel each put away six kills.