Match Notes
MADISON, Wis. -- Wisconsin (6-0) is in the midst of a five-match road swing, wrapping up the non-conference season with two matches in DeKalb, Illinois. Both matches will be played on Victor E. Court on the Northern Illinois campus.
The Badgers take on Green Bay (4-6) on Friday at 6 p.m. and host Northern Illinois (6-2) on Saturday at 6 p.m. live on ESPN3.
1. LEADING THE NATION: Despite hitting below .300 for the first time this season at Marquette (.297) on Sunday, the Badgers lead the nation in hitting percentage at .340. Graduate student
Dana Rettke leads the nation in hitting percentage at .547 while redshirt senior
Danielle Hart ranks 29th nationally and seventh in the Big Ten at .427.
2. STARTING OFF STRONG: UW is 6-0 to start the season, the fourth-best start in nine seasons under head coach
Kelly Sheffield. Wisconsin is one of only 16 teams in the nation that are undefeated this season.
3. SYDNEY THE SUPER SETTER: Sydney Hilley was named the Big Ten Setter of the Week on Monday, collecting her 14th career Setter of the Week plaudit (third-most in conference history) and second this year. The 6-foot Hilley averaged 11.29 assists per set while guiding UW to a .302 team hitting percentage. She also added 3.14 digs per set, recording her second double-double of the season vs. Kentucky with 44 assists and 13 digs.
4. KEEPING THE KILLS AT BAY: The Badgers held Marquette to an opponent season-low .079 (26K–18E -101TA) hitting percentage. UW ranks 18th nationally and fourth in the Big Ten with an opponent hitting percentage of .132.
5. CAN'T KEEP UP WITH OUR ACES: Kentucky was the first opponent this season that has equaled or surpassed the Badgers from the service line as both teams recorded six service aces last Friday. Despite the Wildcats impressive serving, Wisconsin continues to dominate foes from the service line, outscoring opponents 40-11, ranking 22nd nationally and second in the Big Ten with 2.00 aces per set.
6. SCOUTING THE TEAMS: Green Bay is 4-6 on the season with wins over St.Thomas, Texas Southern, Abilene Christian and North Dakota. Redshirt sophomore Alexandra Zakutney leads the team with 3.16 kills per set, followed by freshman Cora Behnke with 2.59 kills per set. Tiffany Paalman, a redshirt freshman middle blocker, has a team-best 1.08 blocks per set while freshman Abby Gardner leads the Phoenix with 4.30 digs per set.
Northern Illinois is 6-2 on the season, all from non-conference matchups. Junior Katie Jablonski leads the team with 3.22 kills per set, followed by freshman Charli Atiemo with 2.72 kills per set. Jasmine Kemp, a senior middle blocker, leads the team with 0.83 blocks per set while freshman libero Francesca Bertucci has a team-best 3.23 digs per set.
