ANN ARBOR, Mich. – After the first half of Big Ten Conference play, the sixth-ranked Wisconsin volleyball team remains undefeated in league play after downing Michigan, 3-1, on Sunday afternoon. The Badgers (14-4 overall, 10-0 Big Ten) downed the Wolverines 24-26, 25-16, 25-15, 25-16 to wrap up the first half of Big Ten play with an unmatched 10-0 mark, their best start since 2001.
After missing the last two matches with a foot injury, junior All-American
Dana Rettke returned to the court with a bang, posting a match-high 15 kills and 10 blocks – her first double-double on the season – while also adding four service aces.
Grace Loberg followed as the only other Badger with double-digit kills, finishing the match with 13. As a team, the Badgers hit .372 (51 kills – 9 errors – 113 attempts) while holding Michigan to .176 (56-39-153).
Despite finishing with five fewer kills than the Wolverines, Wisconsin was able to win handily in each of the last three sets with offensive efficiency and solid defense.
The Badgers edged Michigan in digs (57-48), headed by senior libero
Tiffany Clark with 16 saves, and dominated at the net, finishing the match with 16 total blocks – their second most on the year, led by Rettke's 10.
In a battle of the Big Ten's top serving teams, Wisconsin scored on seven service aces while allowing the Wolverines only one ace.
Straight from the Court
"We weren't very sharp in that first set. I thought we gave them quite a few points… We should've lost that set by nine or 10. Dana (Rettke) got stronger as the match went on, and of course it's nice having her out there.
"(Michigan) can serve. They can get on runs of points and put you in some dire straits. We gave up one ace, on a filthy serve where the bottom just dropped out. (Lauren) Barnes is still angry about it. Everyone else is celebrating that we won in four and Barnes is sitting there angry that she gave up an ace.
"The pressure's on. You'd certainly rather be 10-0 than some other number at this point. We're playing good volleyball – we went on the road and had a nice weekend. It's another match that we're getting stronger as the match goes on, and confidence can continue to build on top of confidence."
– Head Coach
Kelly Sheffield
Notes to Know
- Junior Dana Rettke returned to the Badger lineup after missing two matches with a foot injury. The 6-foot-8 middle blocker finished with her fifth career double-double with team highs of 15 kills and 10 blocks. Rettke also added four service aces.
- The last time the Badgers started the Big Ten season 10-0 was 2001.
- Junior Grace Loberg has recorded double-figure kills in four straight matches after putting away 13 kills today.
- Wisconsin recorded a four-set season high 16 blocks to average 4.0 blocks per set in the match.
- The Badgers continue to dominate from the service line, outscoring the Wolverines 7-1.
- UW held their fifth-straight opponent to an under .200 hitting percentage as Michigan hit .176.
Up Next
The Badgers return home to match up against Maryland on Wednesday night. First serve will be live on Big Ten Network at 7 p.m. from the UW Field House.
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