Five things to know: Northwestern and Illinois

Wisconsin

11-3, 4-2

Northwestern

10-8, 0-6

Game Coverage

Oct. 12 | UW Field House | Madison, Wis.

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Wisconsin

11-3, 4-2

Illinois

15-2, 4-2

Game Coverage

Oct. 13 | UW Field House | Madison, Wis.

MADISON, Wis. – After four-straight road matches, the eighth-ranked Wisconsin volleyball team is looking forward to a weekend back in Madison at its home gym. The Badgers (11-3, 4-2 B1G) welcome Northwestern (10-8, 0-6) to the UW Field House on Friday at 8 p.m. and No. 7 Illinois (15-2, 4-2) on Saturday at 7 p.m.

1. WEAR PINK: Friday's match against Northwestern is this year's Breast Cancer Awareness Match. Fans are encouraged to wear pink as the UW volleyball community recognizes those who have been affected by this terrible disease.

STUFF THE FIELD HOUSE: Thanksgiving is right around the corner and families in Dane County need your help! Bring a box of stuffing or a monetary gift to the Illinois match to help provide a warm Thanksgiving meal to a neighbor in need. All proceeds benefit the Goodman Community Center's Thanksgiving Basket Drive that ensures over 3,500 families in need in Dane County have a delicious Thanksgiving dinner. Bring your box of stuffing and help us "STUFF" the Field House!

2. HOME, SWEET HOME: After starting the season playing 10 of 14 matches on the road, Wisconsin is eager to play in Madison this weekend. The Badgers put their five-match home winning streak on the line, as Wisconsin has not lost in the Field House since Nov. 24, 2017, when it dropped a 3-1 match to then-No. 1 Penn State.

3. B1G NUMBERS: Sophomore Dana Rettke is the only Big Ten player to rank in the top 10 in four statistical categories in conference-only matches. The 6-foot-8 middle blocker is second in hitting percentage (.452), second in kills per set (4.00), tied for fifth in service aces per set (0.38), and tied for seventh in blocks per set (1.10).

4. BEATING THE BLOCK: UW gives up only 1.47 blocks per set, which leads the Big Ten. The Badgers have given up five-or-fewer blocks in nine matches and have tied or out blocked 13 of 14 opponents this season.

5. SCOUTING NORTHWESTERN: The Wildcats are 10-8 this season and 0-6 in conference play. Last week, they were swept by No. 5 Minnesota and No. 7 Illinois. Sophomore Nia Robinson, who averages 4.11 kills per set, leads the NU offense. The Wildcats average 1.42 service aces per set led by libero Sarah Johnson with 0.31 aces per set. The junior also contributes 3.08 digs per set.

SCOUTING ILLINOIS: On. Oct. 3, the Badgers defeated the Illini on their home court in four sets. Illinois is 15-2 overall and 4-2 in the Big Ten. In last week's match, junior outside hitter Jacqueline Quade led the Illini with 18 kills and added nine digs and two aces. Senior setter Jordyn Poulter runs Illinois' offense and ranks second in the conference with 11.44 assists per set. One of the Illini's biggest weapons is their serve, leading the conference with 1.79 aces per set. Last week, they tallied seven against the Badgers.