Badgers win spring season opener

Sunday, March 8

UW Field House, Madison, Wis.

1 p.m.

Wisconsin Badgers

Iowa State

Photo by: Bianca Miceli

Badgers win spring season opener

March 08, 2020 | Volleyball

Stats

Wisconsin defeats Iowa State in exhibition match

MADISON, Wis. – The UW Field House came to life for the first time in 2020 as the Wisconsin volleyball team defeated Iowa State, 3-1, in a spring exhibition match. The Badgers took the first three sets (25-17, 25-16, 25-22) before falling in an extra, uncounted fourth set (25-19).

"I love this time of year and our staff really enjoys this time of year because we can slow things down and learn," assistant coach Brittany Dildine explained. "When you have matches like this in the spring, we really try to encourage the team to get out of their comfort zone, try new things, take some big out-of-system swings, take some heat off just to get it in bounds.

"What I liked was the courage that the team showed, that was really good."

Junior Grace Loberg led the Badgers with 13 kills, while freshman Devyn Robinson added nine kills in her debut in the Field House.

"How can you not get excited for Devyn Robinson?" Dildine remarked. "She came in here and just absolutely gelled with the program and brings a lot of energy, spunk and physicality to the team. Her presence has definitely been felt really quickly."

Redshirt freshman Liz Gregorski had herself a day with seven kills and a team-leading eight digs.

"You see all these players get out there and do it like they are meant to be here and that's exactly what they've worked for and they have earned the right to have that kind of confidence out on the floor," Dildine added.

The Badgers also relied on their veteran leadership. Junior setter Sydney Hilley finished with a team-best three blocks and 31 assists. Playing as libero, Lauren Barnes added seven digs and had a team-best two service aces.

Wisconsin will compete in two more spring matches. On March 28, the Badgers host Milwaukee for a 7 p.m. match at the UW Field House and on Thursday, April 9, UW will travel to Green Bay for a tilt with the Phoenix.