HONOLULU, Hawaii – Stepping on the court for the first time since December, the Wisconsin volleyball team opened the spring season with a 3-1 victory over Hawaii late Tuesday night at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.
The Badgers got off to a slow start to begin, but pulled away in the next three sets over the Rainbow Wahine, winning the series opener 19-25, 25-20, 25-20, 25-19.
Three-time All-American
Mimi Colyer picked up right where she left off from last fall with a match-high, 20-kill performance. Colyer hit a team best .372, while chipping in with seven digs and four blocks.
Setter
Charlie Fuerbringer dished out 37 assists, added one kill, and tallied three blocks on the night.
Newcomers
Madison Quest,
Grace Egan, and
Addy Horner saw time on the court, while returners
Una Vajagic,
Morgan Van Wie,
Maile Chan, and
Tosia Serafinowska also saw the floor.
In the first set, Wisconsin struggled offensively and hit just .061 ( 7 – 5 – 33), while UH hit .250 (16 – 7 – 36). The Rainbow Wahine scored on five of its first 10 attacks and never looked back. The Badgers would get within five points in the set, but were unable to close in on the deficit and fell 19-25.
After hitting just .061 in the first set, the Badgers turned the match around by taking a quick 5-0 lead in the second. Hawaii would then go on a run of their own and tie the set up at seven apiece. After the short tie, the Badgers went on a 9-3 run and never looked back. Colyer led all with seven kills alone in the set.
The third set saw similarities to the second. After being tied at 10 points apiece, Wisconsin went on a 8-1 scoring run (18-11) before Hawaii scored its next point. Colyer tallied another five kills, while Quest chipped in with three kills on four attacks in the set.
Wisconsin's physicality continued into the fourth and final set where the Badgers totaled three team blocks and hit .360 (12 – 3 – 25) in the set. On the night, Booth totaled five blocks, including one solo, and tallied nine kills on 18 swings. The Badgers scored the first point of the set and never looked back winning 25-19.
The Badgers rematch with Hawaii Wednesday evening and will take a day trip to Kaua'l and play at Kaua'I High School.
