Wisconsin vs. Loyola Gameday Blog

Please join Diane Nordstrom of the Wisconsin Athletic Communications Office as she chronicles all the action from tonight's match between the Badgers (5-0) and Loyola Chicago (3-2) with the live Gameday Blog. Tonight's match will decide the championship of the InnTowner Invitational as both teams are 2-0 in the tournament.

The blog is interactive, so be sure to chime in with comments and questions and vote in the polls. The live blog will start at 6:30 p.m. (CT).

Live video and audio of the match is available online at InsideBadgerSports.com The match airs live in the Madison area on The Mic 92.1 (WXXM-FM).

 Wisconsin vs. Loyola Chicago Gameday Blog(09/04/2010) 
6:39
Welcome back to the Wisconsin Field House where the championship of the InnTowner Invitational will be decided. Wisconsin (5-0) takes on Loyola Chicago (3-2) in the title match.
Saturday September 4, 2010 6:39 
6:40
The Badgers, who have yet to lose a set this season, swept Duquesne and Chicago State while the Ramblers downed Duquesne in four sets and swept the Cougars.
Saturday September 4, 2010 6:40 
6:43
The Ramblers have five players that average 2.00 or more kills per set. Senior Colleen Francis, a 6-1 middle blocker, leads the team with 3.06 kills per set while junior Natalie Pounovich, a 6-3 middle, adds 2.79 kills per set.
Saturday September 4, 2010 6:43 
6:44
Freshman Natalie Fiore, a 5-10 setter, puts up 10.69 assists per set and leads the team with six service aces. Junior Cat Languido, a 5-8 libero, averages 5.00 digs per set.
Saturday September 4, 2010 6:44 
6:47
Freshman Elise Walch leads Wisconsin with 4.50 kills per set while senior Allison Wack adds 3.00 kills per set. Junior Nellie Gabrielsen puts up 11.66 assists per set and adds 3.25 digs per set. Senior Kim Kuzma leads the team with 5.50 digs per set.
Saturday September 4, 2010 6:47 
6:48
The Badgers average 2.73 blocks per set led by sophomore Alexis Mitchell with 1.25 blocks per set. Freshman Dominique Thompson adds 1.17 blocks per set.
Saturday September 4, 2010 6:48 
6:48
Wisconsin has a definite advantage in hitting percentage, connecting on .266 percent of its attacks, while Loyola hits just .208. The Badgers also have the advantage in blocking and serving.
Saturday September 4, 2010 6:48 
6:50
Wisconsin leads the all time series against Loyola 10-1.
Saturday September 4, 2010 6:50 
6:58
The Badgers also lead 8-0 in Madison though the two teams have not met since 2005.
Saturday September 4, 2010 6:58 
6:59
We have a special guest in the house tonight - Chancellor Carolyn "Biddy" Martin. She's sitting right behind the Badger bench so look for her on the webcast.
Saturday September 4, 2010 6:59 
7:00
I also saw Craig Coshun, the WMTV (Channel 15) sports director here with his family. Nice that Wisconsin Volleyball is such a family affair!
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:00 
7:03
Loyola starts Kristen Haggenjos, Mallory Curran, Colleen Francis, Melissa Hastings, Natalie Fiore, Candice Carajohn and Cat Languido at libero.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:03 
7:04
The Badgers go back to their regular starters of Janelle Gabrielsen, Alexis Mitchell, Allison Wack, Julie Mikaelsen, Dominique Thompson, Elise Walch and Kim Kuzma at libero. Defensive specialist Annemarie Hickey will start for Walch in the back row.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:04 
7:05
We have a Norwegian flag flying the stands for Julie Mikaelsen - hope that makes her feel at home
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:05 
7:07
Julie gets the Badgers on the board first but the Ramblers get a kill as well. Allison goes off the block for a 2-1 UW lead.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:07 
7:08
A hitting error by Loyola followed by a Loyola kill makes it 3-2.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:08 
7:08
Annemarie scores on the roll shot from the back row. 4-2 UW.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:08 
7:08
Another Rambler hitting error makes it 5-2 Badgers.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:08 
7:09
Julie's serve was heading long but the Ramblers played it an she gets an ace!
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:09 
7:09
Another tip scores for the Badgers. Wisconsin leads 7-2 and Loyola calls a timeout.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:09 
7:10
Back to the action with Julie serving.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:10 
7:10
Net violation on Loyola. Badgers lead 8-2.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:10 
7:11
Badger Block! Dom and Nellie stuff the Ramblers. 9-2.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:11 
7:12
Hastings tools the UW block and Ramblers score. 9-3 UW.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:12 
7:12
Dom scores on the slide. 10-3 Badgers. Elise checks in the front for Hickey.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:12 
7:13
Dom has some nice hang time. She waits as she is coming down and tip right over the blockers for the score. Follow that up with an ace from Allison and its 12-3.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:13 
7:13
Allison scores out of the back row. She had a lot of those last night and she's continuing that tonight. Wisconsin leads 13-3 in the first set.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:13 
7:14
Nellie and Dom do it again! Another stuff block and Loyola calls its second timeout.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:14 
7:15
The Badgers are hitting an impressive .583 (7-0-12) with Wack having three kills.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:15 
7:16
Badgers win another long rally as Loyola hits it out of bounds. 15-3 UW in the first set.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:16 
7:16
Rambler kill by Diana Schulte. 15-4 Badgers.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:16 
7:17
First error of the set for the Badgers as Dom tries to make something of a bad set. Elise tools the block and gets her first kill. Wisconsin up 16-5 in the first.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:17 
7:17
Only one blocker up and Francis scores a kill. 16-6.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:17 
7:18
The one had to hurt! Elise hammered a Loyola player in the face.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:18 
7:18
Francis gets another kill to make it 17-7 Badgers.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:18 
7:18
Alexis gets the kill as the Ramblers are called for a blocking error. 18-7.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:18 
7:19
Nice try by Kim - she got the pancake but couldn't keep it in play. Ramblers score to make it 18-8.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:19 
7:19
I think the freshmen are over their shell-shock from Friday night. Julie gets a big kill to make it 19-8. Alexis gets an ace to make it 20-8.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:19 
7:20
Dom gets the kill on another blocking error by the Ramblers. 21-8.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:20 
7:21
Another blocking error by the Ramblers - their third this set. and Wisconsin leads 22-8.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:21 
7:21
This time its Dom and Julie who get the stuff. Wisconsin has three blocks this set.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:21 
7:21
Hastings gets a kill for Loyola to make it 23-9.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:21 
7:22
Wack Attack! Set point for the Badgers at 24-9.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:22 
7:23
Nice defense by the Badgers while Dom and Nellie cap off the set with a block. 25-9.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:23 
7:27
The second set is underway and the Badgers start off strong with two kills to go up 2-0.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:27 
7:28
Loyola's dig lands out of bounds to give Wisconsin another point, 3-1.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:28 
7:28
That's just off the fewest points allowed per set
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:28 
7:29
Seems to be a repeat of the first set so far with a close score early on. Wisconsin leads 5-3.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:29 
7:30
Dom gets another kill on the slide. She has five kills this match.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:30 
7:30
Dom gets the block solo that time. Wisconsin leads 7-3.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:30 
7:30
Schulte gets a kill for the Ramblers on the left side as she tools the block. 7-4.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:30 
7:31
Block by Walch and Thompson! Wisconsin takes an 8-4 lead.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:31 
7:31
Just a little long for the Ramblers. Badgers up 9-4.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:31 
7:32
Boom, there goes another one! This time by Elise! Wisconsin leads 10-4 and Loyola calls its first timeout.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:32 
7:33
Wisconsin is hitting .450 (21-3-40) with Thompson and Wack both putting down six kills. The Badgers also have six blocks with Thompson being in on five of them.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:33 
7:33
Mitchell gets the block solo this time! Seven blocks for the UW and it leads 11-4.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:33 
7:34
Mitchell gets another kill on the slide. 12-4 UW.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:34 
7:34
[Comment From HBHB: ] 
Man I can't wait to see this team in a few months
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:34 HB
7:34
They are really playing well tonight. The freshmen are over their stage fright and the blocking has been phenomenal!
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:34 
7:35
Speaking of which, another one. Wisconsin has eight team blocks. UW up 14-4.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:35 
7:35
[Comment From HBHB: ] 
It seems like they have grown so much just in the last few weeks
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:35 HB
7:35
They really have. They are really starting to gel as a team.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:35 
7:36
Loyola gets their first block of the night. Wisconsin leads 14-6.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:36 
7:36
Elise knocks down a digger and gets wows from the crowd. I think they like her! Francis gets a kill and its now 15-7.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:36 
7:37
Julie tools the block on the right side. Wisconsin is up 16-7.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:37 
7:37
The Ramblers score out of bounds off the Badger block. 16-8 in the second set. Wisconsin won the first set 25-9.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:37 
7:38
Francis finds a hole in the block to make it 17-9.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:38 
7:38
[Comment From aspasp: ] 
Nice for Nellie to have good options in her setter role this year
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:38 asp
7:38
She certainly has lots of offensive options this season - both front row and back row.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:38 
7:39
[Comment From julies motherjulies mother: ] 
I wonder what is it like out there, the team, the audience the mood as we call it in Norway. I so wished to be there, just for the excperience.I can not imagine what it is like, never been to a game with more than 250 people on the stands. So exciting to follow:)
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:39 julies mother
7:39
Glad to see you're following the match from Norway! Must be really early there. The crowd is great and Julie thought the crowd for our intrasquad (600) was big! We have more than 3,000 here tonight but she's seem to thrive on it!
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:39 
7:40
Service error by the Ramblers. Wisconsin leads 19-12 in the second and Allison gets another ace. Her jump serve is really on tonight!
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:40 
7:40
[Comment From aspasp: ] 
plus the band; were any of them at intrasquad?
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:40 asp
7:41
Yeas, we have a 30-piece pep band here tonight. None of them were here for the intrasquad.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:41 
7:41
Nellie scores on the setter dump! Wisconsin takes a 22-12 lead and Loyola calls its second timeout.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:41 
7:42
Badgers are still hitting .415 while the Ramblers are hitting just .049. Seven Badgers have at least one kill with Allison leading the way with eight.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:42 
7:43
Another hitting error by the Ramblers. They are having a tough time passing Allison's jump serve.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:43 
7:43
Elise gets a kill off the touch. Set point at 24-12.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:43 
7:43
Ace for Allison! The Badgers win the second set 25-12 and take a 2-0 lead in the match.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:43 
7:51
[Comment From West BenderWest Bender: ] 
I really appreciate these blogs, as I am trying to follow the matches from CT. Thanks so much! (Lindsey's sister)
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:51 West Bender
7:54
The third set is underway!
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:54 
7:55
[Comment From JPJP: ] 
Thanks for doing this...we just couldn't make the game tonight from IL!
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:55 JP
7:55
Allison gets two more kills. She now has 10 for the match and Wisconsin leads 2-1.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:55 
7:56
The Ramblers find a hole in the block. That hasn't happened much tonight. A service error by Loyola and Julie will serve.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:56 
7:56
Back-row attack called on Loyola. Wisconsin leads 4-2.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:56 
7:57
Badgers can't control the dig and Loyola makes it 4-3.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:57 
7:57
Another blocking error called on the Ramblers. Allison is up with her smokin' jump serve.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:57 
7:58
Allison misses her first serve of the night and Schulte gets a kill on the left side for Loyola. 6-5 Badgers in the third set. Make that 7-5 as Nellie gets the tip score.
Saturday September 4, 2010 7:58 
8:00
Elise with the hammer on the cross court shot. You can just hear the crowd prepping for her attacks! 8-6.
Saturday September 4, 2010 8:00 
8:00
Four hits called on the Badgers. 8-7 Wisconsin in the third set.
Saturday September 4, 2010 8:00 
8:00
Another Badger Block! Alexis and Nellie get the stuff. UW leads 9-7.
Saturday September 4, 2010 8:00 
8:01
High off the hands of the UW blockers and Loyola makes it 9-8. They are battling much more this set. The Ramblers get an ace to tie the set at 9-9.
Saturday September 4, 2010 8:01 
8:02
Just a little wide on the attack and Loyola leads 10-9 in the third set. The crowd is really trying to help but the Badgers go long on the attack this time. 9-11.
Saturday September 4, 2010 8:02 
8:02
The Ramblers find another hole in the Badger block and Wisconsin has to call its first timeout. Loyola leads 12-9 in the third set. UW won the first two sets 25-9 and 25-12.
Saturday September 4, 2010 8:02 
8:04
Alexis connects in the middle to end the Rambler run. They score again though to make it 10-13.
Saturday September 4, 2010 8:04 
8:04
Alexis scores with authority in the middle again. She'll serve.
Saturday September 4, 2010 8:04 
8:05
Another blocking error from the Ramblers. 12-13.
Saturday September 4, 2010 8:05 
8:05
Great set by Annemarie to Julie for the kill! Tied at 13-13.
Saturday September 4, 2010 8:05 
8:06
Seems the only way Loyola can score on on the tip. 13-14 in the third. A Rambler service error ties the set again at 14-14.
Saturday September 4, 2010 8:06 
8:07
Dom connects in the middle. Nellie has really improved her middle sets and Wisconsin leads 15-14.
Saturday September 4, 2010 8:07 
8:07
Rambler attack goes off the Badger block and out of bounds. Tied at 15-15.
Saturday September 4, 2010 8:07 
8:07
Allison hammers it down on the left side. She has 12 kills this match and is hitting .440.
Saturday September 4, 2010 8:07 
8:08
Mishit by Allison on the service. Another tie. 16-16.
Saturday September 4, 2010 8:08 
8:08
Dom on the slide. She has kind of a delayed approach but its certainly effective. Kim adds an ace and Wisconsin leads 18-16.
Saturday September 4, 2010 8:08 
8:09
Hastings tools the UW block and we're at 18-17 in the third.
Saturday September 4, 2010 8:09 
8:09
Curran scores off the block. Ramblers are really working our left-side blockers.
Saturday September 4, 2010 8:09 
8:10
Elise with the kill off the block. Wisconsin leads 19-18. Julie is back in the front row so we have lots of options on the attack. Ramblers in the net on that attack. Wisconsin leads 20-18 and Loyola calls timeout.,
Saturday September 4, 2010 8:10 
8:12
Kill by Mikaelsen to put Wisconsin up 22-18.
Saturday September 4, 2010 8:12 
8:12
Timeout by Loyola.
Saturday September 4, 2010 8:12 
8:14
Walch puts down a hard kill, 23-18 Wisconsin.
Saturday September 4, 2010 8:14 
8:14
Wack delivers another kill to put Wisconsin at match point
Saturday September 4, 2010 8:14 
8:15
Illegal hand call on Kuzma. Point Loyola, 24-20.
Saturday September 4, 2010 8:15 
8:16
Great dump by Gabrielsen to give Wisconsin the win.
Saturday September 4, 2010 8:16 
8:16
With the match win Wisconsin also wins the 19th- annual InnTowner Invitational for the 15th time.
Saturday September 4, 2010 8:16 
8:17
The all-tournament team will be named shortly
Saturday September 4, 2010 8:17 
8:21
The InnTowner Invitational MVP is Wisconsin's own Allison Wack. Congratulations to the Badgers on a great win as they improve their record to 6-0!
Saturday September 4, 2010 8:21 
8:22