Volleyball gameday blog vs. William & Mary

Please join Diane Nordstrom of the Wisconsin Athletic Communications office as she chronicles all of the action from this evening's match vs. William & Mary. The Badgers are 1-0 after defeating Winthrop 3-0 this morning while the Tribe is 0-1 after losing to Seton Hall in five sets.

Fans can watch the live video stream or follow the live stats at TribeAthletics.com.

Don't forget that the blog is interactive so be sure to send in your comments and questions or vote in the polls.

 Volleyball vs. William & Mary(08/27/2010) 
5:58
Welcome back to Kaplan Arena in William & Mary Hall on the campus of William & Mary. Wisconsin (1-0) will take on William & Mary (0-1) in the fourth match of the Tribe Invitational today.
Friday August 27, 2010 5:58 
5:58
There will be a late start to tonight's nightcap as the match between Winthrop and Seton Hall is in the fifth set. Currently, Winthrop leads 7-2.
Friday August 27, 2010 5:58 
6:05
Still in the fifth set of the first match though we're close. Winthrop leads 12-6 in the fifth.
Friday August 27, 2010 6:05 
6:11
The first match is finally over and Winthrop wins 15-11 in the fifth set. We should have 30 minutes before the start of the Badger match vs. William & Mary.
Friday August 27, 2010 6:11 
6:15
Expand
Friday August 27, 2010 6:15 
6:16
Here is the exterior of the William & Mary Hall of the campus here. A very pretty campus.
Friday August 27, 2010 6:16 
6:20
The Badgers are 1-0 in the tournament, using a balanced scoring attack to defeat Winthrop 3-0 this morning. Three freshmen led the UW offensively with Elise Walch putting down 13 kills and Julie Mikaelsen adding 10 kills. Dominique Thompson added nine kills.
Friday August 27, 2010 6:20 
6:22
William & Mary was up 2-0 in sets vs. Seton Hall but the Pirates came back to win the last three sets for the match win. Senior Erin Skipper led the Tribe with 18 kills this morning and freshman Paulette Grand Pre added 16 kills.
Friday August 27, 2010 6:22 
6:29
The Badgers played very well in sets 1 and 3 this morning but struggled with their passing at times in the second set. Wisconsin also did not block as well as it could have but I think that will come. Some of the freshmen are very quick and put up a big wall.
Friday August 27, 2010 6:29 
6:30
The Tribe was 18-11 last season and tied for third in the Colonial Athletic Association. They are picked to finish fourth this season. Coach Melissa Aldrich Shelton returns fourth starters and eight letterwinners.
Friday August 27, 2010 6:30 
6:30
[Comment From MaxBenSamMaxBenSam: ] 
Go Badgers!
Friday August 27, 2010 6:30 MaxBenSam
6:30
Time to shag again in warmups! 10 minutes until we start!
Friday August 27, 2010 6:30 
6:37
[Comment From StephSteph: ] 
Hi Dave!
Friday August 27, 2010 6:37 Steph
6:37
What about saying hi to Lukas to Steph?
Friday August 27, 2010 6:37 
6:37
[Comment From KateKate: ] 
Who traveled from the families to the tournament? And how do you know what family belongs to whom? Do you ask?
Friday August 27, 2010 6:37 Kate
6:39
There is a lot of red in the stands tonight. I know most of the parents from previous road trips and home matches. The Wacks, Walchs, Ohlanders, Ordings, Kuzmas and Maloneys are here. Some new parents I don't know yet but soon will!
Friday August 27, 2010 6:39 
6:39
[Comment From MaxBenSamMaxBenSam: ] 
hi steph and diane!!!
Friday August 27, 2010 6:39 MaxBenSam
6:39
[Comment From MaxBenSamMaxBenSam: ] 
hi everyone! good luck tonight
Friday August 27, 2010 6:39 MaxBenSam
6:40
That's from Dave Bayer, the husband of assistant coach Colleen for those of you wondering who that is! Our director of ops Stephanie is on her laptop doing coaches' stats up in the stands.
Friday August 27, 2010 6:40 
6:40
Don't forget that you can watch a live stream of the match on www.tribeathletics.com and you can also follow the live stats there as well.
Friday August 27, 2010 6:40 
6:41
[Comment From StephSteph: ] 
This is Steph (Dominique's mom) I don't think the live stream is working. I was unable to make it happen.
Friday August 27, 2010 6:41 Steph
6:42
Sorry wrong Steph. For those of you who don't know, Dom's mom played at Iowa but we'll forgive her. I will check on the live stream with the Wm& Mary staff.
Friday August 27, 2010 6:42 
6:43
Just talked to the William & Mary SID and he said that the live stream is not working but you can follow the live stats and this great blog!
Friday August 27, 2010 6:43 
6:43
[Comment From StephSteph: ] 
I'm only a Badger Volleyball fan now!
Friday August 27, 2010 6:43 Steph
6:44
Good answer!
Friday August 27, 2010 6:44 
6:44
The Badgers starters are the same as this morning - Janelle Gabrielsen, Elise Walch, Alexis Mitchell, Allison Wack, Julie Mikaelsen, Dominique Thompson and Kim Kuzma.
Friday August 27, 2010 6:44 
6:45
William & Mary starts Paulette Grand Pre, Celine Alasomuka, Alexandra Ciaccio, Erin Skipper, Lindsay Kresch, Ginny Bray and Molly Krull.
Friday August 27, 2010 6:45 
6:45
[Comment From KateKate: ] 
I saw the attendance was 76 in the first match. Sounds like the Badgers had the bulk of it!
Friday August 27, 2010 6:45 Kate
6:46
That was definitely the case for the first match this morning. Probably around 300 people here tonight - lots of Badger fans again!
Friday August 27, 2010 6:46 
6:46
[Comment From territerri: ] 
Any estimate of attendance this evening?
Friday August 27, 2010 6:46 terri
6:46
See above!
Friday August 27, 2010 6:46 
6:46
Time for the first serve. The Tribe starts with service.
Friday August 27, 2010 6:46 
6:47
Dom gets the first kill off the block and out of bounds. Badgers serve long so we're tied at 1-1.
Friday August 27, 2010 6:47 
6:48
Badgers look a little too fired up tonight - everything is long - well except for that hammer from Elise! Elise and Alexis teamed on a block. Wisconsin leads 3-2.
Friday August 27, 2010 6:48 
6:49
A UW hitting error and a Tribe service error makes it 5-3 Wisocnsin.
Friday August 27, 2010 6:49 
6:49
Alexis knew she couldn't set and hit the ball!
Friday August 27, 2010 6:49 
6:50
Alexis called for a net on that attack. Lots of errors by both teams early.
Friday August 27, 2010 6:50 
6:51
Two straight hitting errors by Wm & Mary makes it 8-5 Badgers.
Friday August 27, 2010 6:51 
6:51
Nice sharp crosscourt from Julie.
Friday August 27, 2010 6:51 
6:52
Through the block and down for Allison. 10-6 Badgers in the first set.
Friday August 27, 2010 6:52 
6:52
[Comment From HBHB: ] 
Live Stats are working at http://www.tribeathletics.com/files/vb/live/xlive.htm
Friday August 27, 2010 6:52 HB
6:52
Thanks HB!
Friday August 27, 2010 6:52 
6:52
Another net call on the UW. Too many early errors.
Friday August 27, 2010 6:52 
6:53
[Comment From Jon AriasJon Arias: ] 
With no live video Diane you are now the eyes and ears for everyone here....Dont do as bad as that radio guy does
Friday August 27, 2010 6:53 Jon Arias
6:53
You mean you! Another service error by the Badgers.
Friday August 27, 2010 6:53 
6:54
Dom connects on the slide. 12-9 Badgers.
Friday August 27, 2010 6:54 
6:54
Tribe setter and middle can't connect. Point Wisconsin!
Friday August 27, 2010 6:54 
6:55
Nice back row attack from Paulette Grand Pre.
Friday August 27, 2010 6:55 
6:55
Back row attack error from Allison - trying to make something out of nothing.
Friday August 27, 2010 6:55 
6:56
A late block by Elise but it pays to be 6-5.
Friday August 27, 2010 6:56 
6:56
[Comment From MaxBenSamMaxBenSam: ] 
Still way more reliable than gametracker!
Friday August 27, 2010 6:56 MaxBenSam
6:56
A lot quicker too!
Hitting error by the Badgers and Tribe put back the overpass. 15-13 Wisconsin.
Friday August 27, 2010 6:56 
6:57
Elle Ohlander checks in the front row for Alexis.
Friday August 27, 2010 6:57 
6:57
Another service error by Wm& Mary - their third.
Friday August 27, 2010 6:57 
6:58
And another hitting error from the Tribe. They are hitting -.235.
Friday August 27, 2010 6:58 
6:58
Badgers score three straight to stop the Tribe comeback. William & Mary calls a timeout.
Friday August 27, 2010 6:58 
6:58
[Comment From HBHB: ] 
Yes, their live stats page has not been updating
Friday August 27, 2010 6:58 HB
6:58
I will let them know and hopefully they can get it fixed.
Friday August 27, 2010 6:58 
6:59
Badgers have eight kills - three from Allison Wack and two from Dominique. Tribe have only three kills and seven hitting errors. (-.222)
Friday August 27, 2010 6:59 
7:00
[Comment From HBHB: ] 
I think they just did fix it because it just updated
Friday August 27, 2010 7:00 HB
7:00
Two more points for Badgers as Al gets a kill and another hitting error. Make that three more points as Anne gets an ace! Timeout by William & Mary with Wisconsin leading 21-14.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:00 
7:01
[Comment From Jon AriasJon Arias: ] 
How's Walch look after her great start in game #1?
Friday August 27, 2010 7:01 Jon Arias
7:01
She started out well but she's been blocked once and hit into the net once. The Badgers have not been passing great so she has not been getting the best sets.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:01 
7:02
Stuff block in the middle by the Tribe to end a 7-0 run by the Badgers.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:02 
7:03
Julie gets a kill - her second. Wisconsin leads 22-15.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:03 
7:03
Another error by the Tribe.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:03 
7:03
Kill by the Tribe - only their fourth of the set. Still hitting -.174.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:03 
7:03
A big kill by Dom gives UW set point.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:03 
7:04
Overpass gives Wm&Mary a kill. Still set point. Another block by the Tribe. Again need better passing!
Friday August 27, 2010 7:04 
7:05
Ashley Wiedmeyer checks in the back row for Julie.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:05 
7:05
Dom gives the UW the first set with another nice slide! Badgers win 25-18.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:05 
7:06
Badgers hit only .059 that first set but the Tribe hit a negative .111. Wisconsin has 12 kills and 10 errors while Wm&Mary had five kills and eight errors.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:06 
7:06
[Comment From MaxBenSamMaxBenSam: ] 
Max says take them to spike-town Badgers!
Friday August 27, 2010 7:06 MaxBenSam
7:06
I'll tell mom!
Friday August 27, 2010 7:06 
7:07
Dom and Allison both had four kills to lead the Badgers. Wisconsin had two blocks while Willam&Mary had three blocks. Badgers had 13 digs while Tribe had seven digs.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:07 
7:07
[Comment From HBHB: ] 
It will be great to watch this team grow throughout the year
Friday August 27, 2010 7:07 HB
7:08
Pete was saying how its going to take them awhile to play together but they get better everything they play so good things are on the horizon.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:08 
7:09
Both teams return to the same starting lineup as the first set. Allison will serve for the UW.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:09 
7:09
Elise starts out with a kill to put Badgers on the board first.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:09 
7:10
Tribe get their first kill of the set as well. Tied 1-1 in the second set.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:10 
7:10
[Comment From MaxBenSamMaxBenSam: ] 
is elle still in for alexis?
Friday August 27, 2010 7:10 MaxBenSam
7:10
No Alexis started this set.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:10 
7:11
Nice shot to the corner by Elise - she can really hit them deep.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:11 
7:11
Elise goes line that time and scores again. Badgers up 3-2.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:11 
7:12
Two straight hitting errors by the Tribe puts UW up 5-2. Wm&Mary calls a timeout.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:12 
7:13
Elise goes deep cross court again! 6-2 Badgers.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:13 
7:13
[Comment From Thang (Alumn from SF)Thang (Alumn from SF): ] 
This will be an interesting year with so many underclasswomen! Lookign forward to an exciting season.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:13 Thang (Alumn from SF)
7:14
That was some ugly volleyball that rally but Alexis hits the slide to score one. 7-3 Badgers.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:14 
7:15
Tribe should not have scored on that but they did. Grand Pre scores off the block. Wisconsin leads 8-5.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:15 
7:16
[Comment From HBHB: ] 
Yes, this Elisa Walch is a star in the making
Friday August 27, 2010 7:16 HB
7:16
Yes, she is. Five kills this set.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:16 
7:17
Set was a little too far outside for Julie and she goes long cross country. 9-7 Wisconsin. Make that 9-8 as Tribe get a block.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:17 
7:17
Service error ends the Wm& Mary run. 10-8 Badgers.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:17 
7:18
[Comment From Thang (Alumn from SF)Thang (Alumn from SF): ] 
Are we passing with a libero and a DS in this match?
Friday August 27, 2010 7:18 Thang (Alumn from SF)
7:18
Yes, Kuzma is the libero and Annemarie is playing DS for Elise.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:18 
7:19
Stuff block from Allison and Dom! 13-9 Badgers.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:19 
7:19
[Comment From KateKate: ] 
Can they only travel with only 16? If so, which two players get to follow along like the rest of us?
Friday August 27, 2010 7:19 Kate
7:20
Yes, they can only travel with 16. Kristy Bourquin and Lindsey Seil stayed behind only because they were the last two to join the team.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:20 
7:20
Anne loves to hit out of the back row but she goes a little long on that one. 15-10 UW.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:20 
7:21
Nellie puts back the overpass. 16-10.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:21 
7:21
Dom and Nellie get the block on the back row attack. Wisconsin leads 17-10 in the second set.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:21 
7:22
Just a little long by Grand Pre! Wisconsin up 18-11 in the second.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:22 
7:23
William & Mary get an ace as the serve hits the net and falls in. 18-13 Badgers. Make that 19-13 as Elise get another kill. She has seven for the match.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:23 
7:23
[Comment From MaxBenSamMaxBenSam: ] 
Hickey reminds me of Urbanek
Friday August 27, 2010 7:23 MaxBenSam
7:24
So much so! She looks like her and plays defense like her too! Which is great!
Friday August 27, 2010 7:24 
7:24
Elise with another kill. 20-14 Badgers.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:24 
7:25
Badgers take advantage of a free ball and Allison makes a great kill down the line. 21-14 UW. Make that 22-14 as Tribe are called out of rotation.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:25 
7:26
Kirby Toon checks in for Allison and Kelsey check in for Alexis.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:26 
7:26
HUGE block from Kelsey and Julie! Badgers lead 23-14 in the second set and Tribe call a timeout.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:26 
7:26
[Comment From KateKate: ] 
Have the Badgers been using the jump serve much? I saw Hickey use it at the C&W scrimmage and she looked great.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:26 Kate
7:27
Anne and Allison have both been jump serving this season. Both have a lot of speed and a lot of top spin. Kim will use a jump float at times.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:27 
7:27
Julie goes down the line - great shot and its set point!
Friday August 27, 2010 7:27 
7:29
Kirby gets the kill for set point! Wisconsin wins the second set 25-15 after winning the first set 25-18.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:29 
7:29
We have a 10-minute break so I'll have time for questions and I'll get you the stats as well.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:29 
7:31
Wisconsin
Hitting: 25 kills - 14 errors - 62 attempts (.177)
Elise - 8 kills; Allison - 5 kills; Dominique - 4 kills
Janelle - 18 assists
Kim - 11 digs; Nellie 7 digs
Dom - 3 blocks.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:31 
7:32
William & Mary
Hitting: 15 kills - 18 errors - 63 attempts (-.048)
Skipper and Kresch - 3 kills
Krull - 6 assists; Crumal - 5 assists
Krull, Kresch, Skipper - 4 digs
Skipper - 3 blocks
Friday August 27, 2010 7:32 
7:33
Digs: Wisconsin 26; Wm&Mary 17
Blocks: Wisconsin 5; Wm&Mary 4
Serving: Wisconsin 3 aces, 2 errors; Wm&Mary 1 ace, 4 errors
Friday August 27, 2010 7:33 
7:34
[Comment From HBHB: ] 
Great job Badgers
Friday August 27, 2010 7:34 HB
7:34
[Comment From MaxBenSamMaxBenSam: ] 
what's up with the serve recieve tonight?
Friday August 27, 2010 7:34 MaxBenSam
7:35
First set was definitely not good. Lots of overpasses and way off target. I will say that the Tribe have not gotten much going on offense so Badgers have been scrambling a lot, having to cover the entire court. The second set was much better!
Friday August 27, 2010 7:35 
7:35
[Comment From StephSteph: ] 
Awesome job Badgers!
Friday August 27, 2010 7:35 Steph
7:35
[Comment From KateKate: ] 
Looks like the blocking in the first five games of the season is looking better? Are the Badgers taller than the other teams? What is the jump reach of Thompson? She seems to be getting good blocks in according to the stats.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:35 Kate
7:36
For the most part, the Badgers are taller than the other teams but not in the middle. Alexis is only 6-0 and Dom is only 5-11 though both can really jump. Both touch over 10-0 and are really quick, which helps in getting to the outside for blocking.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:36 
7:38
Wisconsin really improved its hitting percentage in the second game. The Badgers went from .059 in the first set to .321 in the second set. Passing was much improved which helped a lot.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:38 
7:39
Time for the third set. Badgers send out the same starters - Nellie, Elise, Dom, Alexis, Allison, Julie and Kim.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:39 
7:39
The Tribe starts the same as well and they have the first serve
Friday August 27, 2010 7:39 
7:40
Nellie sets the ball over for the first kill of the third set.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:40 
7:40
Tribe attack rolls down the front of the Badger blockers to tie the set. Elise has another forceful kill. 2-1 Badgers.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:40 
7:42
Badgers win another long rally on a block solo from Alexis.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:42 
7:42
Tribe called for being in the net. 5-2 Badgers in the third set.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:42 
7:43
Tribe are starting to tip right behind the Badger blockers - only way they've been able to score.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:43 
7:43
Julie scores out of the back row. 7-3 Badgers.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:43 
7:44
Service error ends the Badgers 3-0 run.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:44 
7:45
Badgers really wanted a touch called on that backrow attack from Anne. No luck. Wisconsin leads 8-6.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:45 
7:46
Bad set by the Tribe ends a 2-0 run. UW up 9-6.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:46 
7:46
Into the net on that attack - Badger point.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:46 
7:47
Block solo by Nellie! Great positioning! Wiconsin up 11-6.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:47 
7:47
Setter dump by Nellie and the UW is on a 4-0 run to lead 12-6. Tribe call another timeout.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:47 
7:47
[Comment From territerri: ] 
If you have a moment, can you talk a little about why schools continue to have problems with video casts? It's so darn disappointing when they don't work.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:47 terri
7:48
Unfortunately, technology doesn't always work. It's disappointing from the school's end as well since we want our fans to be able to follow our teams. Hopefully, they will have it working here tomorrow.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:48 
7:49
Long on the serve ends a 7-0 run by the Badgers. UW 13, WM 7.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:49 
7:50
Dom on the slide again! She has five kills and three blocks. 14-8.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:50 
7:50
[Comment From MaxBenSamMaxBenSam: ] 
can you hook up a camera to your computer diane??? :-)
Friday August 27, 2010 7:50 MaxBenSam
7:50
Unfortunately, all you would see is me!
Friday August 27, 2010 7:50 
7:51
Another Tribe block makes it 15-10 Wisconsin in the third.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:51 
7:52
A Tribe kill and another service that hits the tape and falls in. Wm& Mary cuts the lead to three (15-12).
Friday August 27, 2010 7:52 
7:52
Kelsey checks in to the front row for Alexis.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:52 
7:52
Service error by Wm& Mary ends the comeback. 16-12.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:52 
7:53
Big swing down the line by Elise - She has 10 kills.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:53 
7:54
William & Mary seems to be getting its offense on track while the Badgers are struggling a little bit offensively. The Tribe has cut it to 17-15.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:54 
7:54
Alexis back in for Kelsey.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:54 
7:56
Okay, I'm losing my internet. Wisconsin leads 21-15 in the third set.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:56 
7:58
Okay to catch up. Wisconsin just served but Wm& Mary got a kill so we're at 21-16 in the third set.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:58 
7:58
How did they miss the last touch call?
Friday August 27, 2010 7:58 
7:59
Dom with another kill. She has six. 23-17 Badgers.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:59 
7:59
Julie with another kill on the right side. Set point. Kirby checks in for Allison on match point.
Friday August 27, 2010 7:59 
8:00
Kirby and Dom get the block on match point. The Badgers win 25-18, 25-15, 25-17.
Friday August 27, 2010 8:00 
8:00
[Comment From KateKate: ] 
Can you explain the slide? Is the setter setting behind?
Friday August 27, 2010 8:00 Kate
8:01
Yes, a slide is a short set behind the setter. The middle blocker goes around the setter and hits from the right side.
Friday August 27, 2010 8:01 
8:01
[Comment From MaxBenSamMaxBenSam: ] 
great sub pete!!! nice job badgers!!!
Friday August 27, 2010 8:01 MaxBenSam
8:02
Final Stats:
Hitting:
Wisconsin: 40 kills, 18 errors; 101 attempts (.218)
Wm&Mary: 24 kills; 26 errors; 100 attempts (-.020)
Friday August 27, 2010 8:02 
8:02
[Comment From KateKate: ] 
Excellent! Lost the live stats too so must be a W&M problems. Nice work Badgers!
Friday August 27, 2010 8:02 Kate
8:04
Assists: Wisconsin 37 (Gabrielsen 28); William & Mary 19 (Krull 11)
Aces: Wisconsin 3 (Hickey 2); Wm&Mary 2 (Krull, Alasomuka)
Digs: Wisconsin 44 (Kuzma 19; Gabrielsen 11); Wm&Mary 37 (Kresch 8)
Blocks: Wisconsin 9 (Thompson 3, Gabrielsen 3); Wm& Mary 6 (Bray 3)
Friday August 27, 2010 8:04 
8:04
[Comment From StephSteph: ] 
Thanks Diane!!! You did a great job..I almost felt like I was there.
Friday August 27, 2010 8:04 Steph
8:05
Kill leaders: Wisconsin - Walch 11; Wack 8; Thompson 6
Wm& Mary - Grand Pre 7
Friday August 27, 2010 8:05 
8:06
Make sure to tune in Saturday at 11:30 a.m. as the Badgers go for the tournament title against Seton Hall (1-1).

Final: Badgers win in three 25-18; 25-15; 25-17

Thanks to everyone for the great comments and questions.
Friday August 27, 2010 8:06 
8:06