Volleyball vs. Northwestern Gameday Blog

MADISON, Wis. -- Please join Diane Nordstrom of the Wisconsin Athletic Communications office as she chronicles the Badgers' (11-3 overall, 0-3 Big Ten) match vs. No. 25 Northwestern (12-1, 2-0) live with the Gameday Blog. Wisconsin is looking for its first Big Ten Conference win and faces a ranked opponent for the third-consecutive match.

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).

Tonight's match is being streamed live on BigTenNetwork.com. You can also listen to the match in the Madison area on The Mic 92.1 (WXXM-FM) with Jon Arias or follow the live stats through GameTracker.
 Volleyball vs. Northwestern Gameday Blog(10/01/2010) 
6:32
Welcome back to the Wisconsin Field House for the Badgers fifth-straight home match. The Badgers (11-3, 0-3) take on 25th-ranked Northwestern (12-1, 2-0) with the first serve at 7 p.m.
Friday October 1, 2010 6:32 
6:35
Wisconsin is on a three-match losing streak but has faced some of the top teams in the Big Ten. The Badgers started the conference season with a 3-2 loss to Ohio State before falling to reigning NCAA champion Penn State last weekend. Wisconsin lost 3-1 to seventh-ranked Illinois on Wednesday. Northwestern will be the third-straight ranked team that UW has played.
Friday October 1, 2010 6:35 
6:36
Northwestern opened Big Ten play last weekend, defeating Indiana 3-1 and Purdue 3-2 at home. This will be the Wildcats first conference road trip.
Friday October 1, 2010 6:36 
6:37
The Wildcats will be without their starting libero in sophomore Julie Chin, who is out with a left hand injury. Chin had been averaging a team-best 3.43 digs per set. Junior Mary Grace Gallagher will take over for Chin.
Friday October 1, 2010 6:37 
6:39
Northwestern is led by a pair of senior middle blockers in Naomi Johnson and Sabel Moffett. Johnson leads the Wildcats with 3.37 kills per set while Moffett adds 3.12 kills per set. Moffett leads the team with 1.51 blocks per set.
Friday October 1, 2010 6:39 
6:39
[Comment From laurielaurie: ] 
any injuries for the badgers tonight?
Friday October 1, 2010 6:39 laurie
6:40
Just for you Laurie! No, the Badgers are healthy though Northwestern will be without its starting libero - Julie Chin. Chin is walking around with her left arm in a sling tonight.
Friday October 1, 2010 6:40 
6:42
Wisconsin will be led by freshman Elise Walch, who is averaging 3.24 kills per set. Senior Allison Wack adds 3.11 kills per set.
Friday October 1, 2010 6:42 
6:43
The Badgers had one of their best defensive matches of the season on Wednesday vs. Illinois. Wisconsin had a season-high 81 digs, led by senior Kim Kuzma with 27.
Friday October 1, 2010 6:43 
6:43
UW has also been an impressive serving team this season, averaging 1.42 aces per set as a team. Wack leads the Badgers with 0.47 aces per set.
Friday October 1, 2010 6:43 
6:44
Wisconsin leads the all-time series with Northwestern 44-26, including a 24-7 advantage in Madison. Las season, both teams won at home, 3-1.
Friday October 1, 2010 6:44 
6:51
[Comment From WillWill: ] 
Hi Diane - Do you know who is starting at Opposite? Mary Ording or Julie Mikaelsen?
Friday October 1, 2010 6:51 Will
6:52
I'm guessing Mary will be starting at opposite again. She played pretty well on Wednesday night and I'm guessing Coach Waite will give her the nod.
Friday October 1, 2010 6:52 
6:54
Illinois, the current Big Ten leader, is off tonight since it played the Badgers on Wednesday and Northwestern is the lone team this season. No. 19 Michigan is at Ohio State, Michigan State is at No. 4 Penn State, Purdue is at No. 17 Minnesota and Indiana is at Iowa.
Friday October 1, 2010 6:54 
6:54
[Comment From CarlCarl: ] 
What is the strength of NW?
Friday October 1, 2010 6:54 Carl
6:55
Definitely their middle attack. Their middle blockers rank first and second on the team in kills per set. Sabel Moffett, a 6-0 middle, was a 2009 All-Big Ten selection.
Friday October 1, 2010 6:55 
6:55
[Comment From WillWill: ] 
How will the Badgers slow down the Wildcats middle hitters?
Friday October 1, 2010 6:55 Will
6:56
By serving tough. The Badgers did a good job of that Wednesday night against Illinois and that was reflected in the stats. The Illini middle attackers combined for only seven kills. Unfortunately for the UW, Laura DeBruler had 26 kills on the left side.
Friday October 1, 2010 6:56 
7:00
Time for the National Anthem. Our crowd is a little sparse right now but people are still trickling in.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:00 
7:02
[Comment From Thang from SFThang from SF: ] 
Good luck Badgers!
Friday October 1, 2010 7:02 Thang from SF
7:02
Northwestern will start Stephanie Holthous, Naomi Johnson, Madalyn Shalter, Alex Ayers, Elyse Glab, Sabel Moffett and at libero Mary Grace Gallagher.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:02 
7:04
The Badgers start Janelle Gabrielsen, Elise Walch, Kelsey Maloney, Alexis Mitchell, Allison Wack, Lindsey Seil and Kim Kuzma at libero.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:04 
7:05
The band is rocking tonight! Quite a good student section too but then free admission and free t-shirts will do that!
Friday October 1, 2010 7:05 
7:05
Wisconsin has the serve with Allison Wack back at the line.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:05 
7:06
Johnson gets a quick kill in the middle as Northwestern scores first.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:06 
7:06
Walch gets her first kill as well - deep in the corner. 1-1.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:06 
7:07
Ace for Kuzma! 2-1 Badgers.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:07 
7:07
Wildcats get two blocks in a row to take a 3-2 lead.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:07 
7:08
Walch gets her second kill of the night on a blocking error by the Wildcats. 3-3.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:08 
7:08
Holthous scores off the block. 4-3 Wildcats.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:08 
7:09
Walch is getting lots of swings and kills tonight. Her third score. 4-4.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:09 
7:09
Kaelin scores off the block for Northwestern. 5-4 NU.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:09 
7:10
Johnson on the slide makes it 6-4 but Mitchell gets her first kill to make it 6-5 Northwestern.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:10 
7:11
Alexis pulls her arms back just in time on that pass and we're tied at 6-6. Northwestern leads 7-6 on a net serve.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:11 
7:11
Maloney gets a kill in the middle. 7-7.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:11 
7:11
[Comment From Thang from SFThang from SF: ] 
I hope the Badgers can pull out the close sets tonight!
Friday October 1, 2010 7:11 Thang from SF
7:12
Me too. Wisconsin has not done well in tight sets this season.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:12 
7:12
Northwestern scores as the set hits the net and falls in and a service ace by Ayers. The Wildcats called for reaching over the net and its 9-8 NU.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:12 
7:13
Another Wildcat kill and they lead 10-8. Walch gets a kill on off what looked like a broken play. 10-9 Wildcats. We're tied again (10-10) as Moffett hits into the net.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:13 
7:14
Badgers touch the ball last and it goes out of bounds. 11-10 Northwestern.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:14 
7:14
Walch is "clobbering" the ball tonight. 11-11. She has five kils.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:14 
7:15
Roll shot scores for Northwestern. 12-11 NU.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:15 
7:15
Elise gets her sixth kill! She has six of the UW's eight kills this set. 12-12.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:15 
7:15
Hickey goes long on her serve. UW already has two service errors.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:15 
7:16
Kaelin scores on the left side for Northwestern and they lead 14-12.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:16 
7:16
Mitchell hits to the middle and scores a kill. She'll go back to serve.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:16 
7:17
Shalter on the right side puts Northwestern up 15-12. Wisconsin gets a point off the net serve to make it 15-13.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:17 
7:17
Shalter hits the side line as Northwestern leads 16-13.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:17 
7:18
Wildcats get another block to lead 17-14. Wisconsin uses its first timeout.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:18 
7:19
Wack Attack! She gets her first kill. 17-15.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:19 
7:20
Johnson gets another kill and Northwestern has it fourth block to lead 19-15. Dominique Thompson checks in for Maloney.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:20 
7:21
Moffett goes long and we're at 19-16 NU.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:21 
7:21
Major confusion on defense. Northwestern leads 21-16 off that block.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:21 
7:22
Wisconsin uses it second timeout as the Wildcats are on a 5-2 run.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:22 
7:22
[Comment From WillWill: ] 
Any word on why Maloney started in lieu of Thompson? Better blocking?
Friday October 1, 2010 7:22 Will
7:22
Not sure. Dom has her right elbow taped up so it may have been an effort to try to rest her.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:22 
7:23
Walch gets her seventh kill (UW has 11!) and we're at 21-17 NU.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:23 
7:24
Moffett scores on the slide. 22-17.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:24 
7:25
Northwestern gets another block - their sixth. Badgers are not covering blocks well at all. Walch gets her eighth kill. 23-18.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:25 
7:25
Looked like a touch but none called on Alexis' attack. Set point for NU at 24-18.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:25 
7:25
Wack gets another kill and UW holds off first set point. 24-19.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:25 
7:26
Wisconsin finally gets a block! Thompson and Ording. 24-20.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:26 
7:26
Johnson scores off the block and Northwestern wins the first set 25-20.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:26 
7:26
[Comment From WillWill: ] 
One more question - why isn't there audio streaming on uwbadgers.com tonight? Is it because of the bigten.com broadcast?
Friday October 1, 2010 7:26 Will
7:26
Yes, because the match is on BigTenNetwork.com.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:26 
7:27
Wisconsin hit .189 (13-6-37) in that set while Northwestern hit .297 (16-5-37). Biggest different was blocking as the Wildcats had five and UW had just one.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:27 
7:30
Alex Ayers is back to serve for the Wildcats as the second set gets underway... Wack gets the first point to put the Badgers up 1-0
Friday October 1, 2010 7:30 
7:31
Northwestern's attack goes wide putting UW up 2-0
Friday October 1, 2010 7:31 
7:31
Gabrielsen gets the kill for the Badgers, 3-1, and goes back to serve
Friday October 1, 2010 7:31 
7:32
Walch with the dump and Mitchell follows with a fill of her own... 5-1 Wisconsin
Friday October 1, 2010 7:32 
7:33
Two big kills from Moffett, 5-3 Wisconsin
Friday October 1, 2010 7:33 
7:33
The Badgers answer back and Hickey goes back to serve
Friday October 1, 2010 7:33 
7:33
Another Northwestern block. 6-4 Badgers.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:33 
7:33
[Comment From GuestGuest: ] 
is the big ten match on tv , live stream or both?
Friday October 1, 2010 7:33 Guest
7:34
Streamed live on BigTenNetwork.com.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:34 
7:34
Badgers go long in the middle and its 6-5 UW.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:34 
7:34
Mary goes off the block and out of bounds - on the other side of the court! 7-4.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:34 
7:34
Make that 7-5 Badgers.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:34 
7:35
Kaelin gets a kill on the left side and Wisconsin leads 7-6.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:35 
7:35
Bad pass and Northwestern can't get the ball over. 8-6.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:35 
7:35
[Comment From bobbob: ] 
i'm depressed. the only cure is a badger victory
Friday October 1, 2010 7:35 bob
7:35
Gabrielsen scores on the attack - a real attack not a setter tip. 9-6.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:35 
7:36
Johnson gets another kill - her fifth. Net serve by the Wildcats and Wisconsin leads 10-7.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:36 
7:36
Another service error by UW - its third. 10-8.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:36 
7:38
Wildcats score again to tie the set at 10-10. Julie Mikaelsen checks in to the back row for Seil. Wisconsin scores again to lead 11-10.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:38 
7:38
Johnson goes long and Wisconsin takes a 12-10 lead.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:38 
7:39
Mitchell in the middle! 13-10 Badgers.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:39 
7:39
Gabrielsen tips the tight pass over and it goes out of bounds. 13-11.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:39 
7:40
Wildcat block again. They have eight in the match. 13-12 Badgers.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:40 
7:40
Where is our defense tonight? 13-13.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:40 
7:40
Service is long for Johnson. 14-13 UW.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:40 
7:41
Walch gets her 10th kill as it goes off the block and out of bounds - into about the fifth row of the bleachers. 15-13.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:41 
7:41
Another Northwestern kill. 15-14.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:41 
7:42
Julie gets a kill on the left side. 16-14.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:42 
7:42
Moffett on the slide and no one is there. 16-15.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:42 
7:42
We're leading but we're playing like we're behind.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:42 
7:42
Julie tips for the kill. 17-15.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:42 
7:43
Kaelin goes long and Wisconsin leads 18-15. Northwestern calls its first timeout.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:43 
7:44
Badgers are hitting .222 (11-5-27) in this set while Northwestern is at .154 (9-5-26).
Friday October 1, 2010 7:44 
7:45
Moffett on the slide again. 18-16. ends a 3-0 Badger run.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:45 
7:45
Touch called and Wack gets the kill. 19-16.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:45 
7:45
Johnson uses the overpass to her advantage. 19-17 UW.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:45 
7:46
Northwestern now has nine blocks. 19-18.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:46 
7:47
Johnson gets her eighth kill to tie the second set at 19-19. Wisconsin calls its first timeout.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:47 
7:48
Badgers are struggling offensively tonight. Walch has 10 kills but the next closest is Wack and Mitchell with four apiece. For Northwestern, Johnson has eight kills, Moffett and Holthous six and Shalter five.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:48 
7:48
Wack scores on the roll shot. 20-19.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:48 
7:49
Johnson's attack went off Kuzma's head and out of bounds. 20-20.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:49 
7:49
Walch scores again! 21-20.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:49 
7:50
Johnson gets her 10th kill and we're tied again. 21-21.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:50 
7:50
Nellie tips over on the second contact and UW leads 22-21.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:50 
7:50
Another Northwestern block. 22-22.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:50 
7:51
Walch off the block and down! 23-22.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:51 
7:51
Should have been an easy pass but instead its a Wildcat kill. 23-23.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:51 
7:52
Julie's kill gives the UW set point. 24-23.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:52 
7:52
Moffett tips to tie it at 24-24.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:52 
7:53
Shalter out of backrow give Wildcats set point. 25-24. Wisconsin uses its second tiemout.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:53 
7:53
We've had two pretty evenly matched teams tonight. We had nine ties in the first set and eight ties this set.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:53 
7:54
Wildcats get a what else - a block - on set point. 26-24 and Northwestern leads the match 2-0.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:54 
7:57
The Badgers are hitting .203 (30-14-79) while the Wildcats are hitting .303 (33-10-76). Northwestern is outblocking Wisconsin 11-1.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:57 
7:58
Walch leads all attacker with 12 kills but next for the UW is Wack with five. Mitchell and Gabrielsen both have four kills. Northwestern is led by Johnson with 10 while Moffett adds seven. Holthous and Shalter both have six kills.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:58 
7:58
[Comment From TimoTimo: ] 
How is Gallagher playing for NU as a sub for inhured starting lib Chin?
Friday October 1, 2010 7:58 Timo
7:59
She has seven digs and has been serving well. She has a jump float that is pretty effective. Northwestern has been serving pretty tough all night.
Friday October 1, 2010 7:59 
8:05
Both teams are back out on the court. We'll see who the Badgers start this set.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:05 
8:07
Badgers start out the third set with an ace from Wack! 1-0.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:07 
8:07
[Comment From Badger fanBadger fan: ] 
Mentally, I hope they can get together and fight harder and jump a little higher too and block!
Friday October 1, 2010 8:07 Badger fan
8:08
Johnson gets another kill. 1-1.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:08 
8:08
Walch goes long and Northwestern leads 2-1.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:08 
8:08
Thompson on the slide ties it up 2-2.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:08 
8:09
Walch scores off the roll shot - her 13th kill. 3-2.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:09 
8:09
Holthous off the block to tie it at 3-3.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:09 
8:10
Nellie tips deep and makes something out of nothing.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:10 
8:10
Julie hits through the block and down! 5-3.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:10 
8:10
Moffett on the slide. 5-4 UW.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:10 
8:11
Mitchell tips for the kill. 6-4.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:11 
8:11
Mitchell can't get enough on it. 6-5.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:11 
8:12
Julie hits through the block again. 7-5 UW.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:12 
8:12
Johnson goes deep on the slide for the score. 7-6.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:12 
8:13
Julie is finding her way through the block. she has three kills this set and gives UW an 8-6 lead. Make that 9-6 as Northwestern goes into the net.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:13 
8:13
Mikaelsen serves long, ending a 3-0 UW run.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:13 
8:13
Nellie tips through the block for the kill - she has six - second on the team. UW leads 10-7.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:13 
8:14
Service ace! for Wack - she has her jump serve going! 11-7.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:14 
8:14
Shalter tips to the corner for the kill. 11-8.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:14 
8:15
Holthous with the kill and a 2-0 run.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:15 
8:15
Thompson off the top of the block - her third kill. 12-9 Badgers.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:15 
8:16
Badgers should have had a block there but Northwestern has some great coverage. They get the kill to make it 12-10.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:16 
8:16
NU block goes out of bounds and Badgers go up 13-10.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:16 
8:16
Julie gets another kill! 14-10.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:16 
8:17
Holthous on the gap with a big kill. 14-11.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:17 
8:17
Four hits called on the Badgers as the back-row attack hits the top of the tape. 14-12.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:17 
8:18
Kaelin hits the back line and its a one-point game. 14-13.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:18 
8:18
Mitchell with authority! ends a 3-0 Northwestern run.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:18 
8:19
Moffett on the slide on a lot of tight net play. 15-14.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:19 
8:19
Another Wildcat block ties the set at 15-15.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:19 
8:19
Kaelin with another kill and Northwestern takes a 16-15 lead.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:19 
8:20
Wildcats are on a 6-1 run.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:20 
8:20
Yeah, net serve ties the set again at 16.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:20 
8:21
Hard to believe that Northwestern can score so easily on broken plays like that. They lead 18-16 off a UW hitting error.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:21 
8:21
Wisconsin takes its first timeout.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:21 
8:21
[Comment From TimoTimo: ] 
No cheering on press row!
Friday October 1, 2010 8:21 Timo
8:21
I'm not cheering - I'm just expressing my opinion!
Friday October 1, 2010 8:21 
8:23
Julie through the block again! 18-17 NU.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:23 
8:23
Wildcats with another kill and a 19-17 lead.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:23 
8:24
Ball-handling error on the Wildcats. 19-18 Northwestern.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:24 
8:25
Julie gets another kill. She has six this set and we're tied at 19-19. Northwestern uses a timeout.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:25 
8:25
[Comment From WillWill: ] 
C'mon Badgers - pull this one out.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:25 Will
8:25
[Comment From TimoTimo: ] 
On Wisconsin is the tune to my hs fight song, little know fact! :)
Friday October 1, 2010 8:25 Timo
8:25
One of the best fight songs! Is that cheering?
Friday October 1, 2010 8:25 
8:26
The band is playing "If you want to be a Badger now."
Friday October 1, 2010 8:26 
8:26
Holthous goes long and Wisconsin leads 20-19.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:26 
8:27
Holthous gets the kill that time off the block. 20-20.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:27 
8:27
[Comment From DanDan: ] 
GO BUCKY! We need this one.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:27 Dan
8:27
Walch goes long and Wisconsin takes its second timeout.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:27 
8:29
Touch called and Northwestern in the net. 21-21.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:29 
8:29
Wack tips out of the back row and Badgers lead 22-21.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:29 
8:29
Wisconsin gets another block - only its second of the match! 23-21 and Northwestern calls timeout.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:29 
8:31
Moffett tips to the middle for the score. 23-22 UW.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:31 
8:31
Ace by Shalter and we're tied at 23.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:31 
8:31
Walch clobbers that one! Set point UW. 24-23.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:31 
8:32
Badgers go long on the attack and we're tied at 24.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:32 
8:32
Moffett's attack rolls down the UW block. 25-24 Northwestern. Match point.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:32 
8:33
How appropriate. Another Northwestern block ends the match. 26-24.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:33 
8:41
The Badgers will continue Big Ten play next week in Michigan, taking on Michigan on Friday and Michigan State on Saturday.
Friday October 1, 2010 8:41 
8:41