Wisconsin remains undefeated in Big Ten

Saturday, October 1

Bloomington, IN

5 PM

Wisconsin Badgers

12-1, 4-0Big Ten

Indiana

12-5, 1-3Big Ten

Wisconsin

Indiana

Wisconsin remains undefeated in Big Ten

October 01, 2016 | Volleyball

Box Score

Badgers extend seven-match winning streak

BLOOMINGTON, Ind.-- The third-ranked Wisconsin volleyball team rolled to a 4-0 start in Big Ten Conference play on Saturday, sweeping Indiana, 25-19, 25-21, 25-15, in Bloomington.

"I thought we fought really hard in passing," UW head coach Kelly Sheffield said. "I thought offensively we were really good. Defensively, I thought we probably took a country club mentality to start the match, but I thought we got a bit better and challenged them a little."

Wisconsin (12-1, 4-0 Big Ten) recorded a .386 hitting percentage (37-10-70) and collected six team blocks to narrowly out block the Hoosiers 6-5. Indiana (12-5, 1-3 Big Ten) hit only .233 percent (38-17-90) and recorded 11 service errors in the match.

Junior Kelli Bates led the UW offense, hitting nine kills and adding one assist. Senior Lauren Carlini hit a season-high .667 hitting percentage (4-0-6) and led the Badgers with 28 assists.

"Yeah, that was all Lauren," Sheffield said of Carlini's balanced performance. "That wasn't anything we saw or talked about, I think it was just the flow of the match and she was making plays."

Freshman Molly Haggerty and junior Lauryn Gillis each hit seven kills for Wisconsin, while senior Haleigh Nelson added six.

Freshman libero M.E. Dodge saved a match-high nine digs for Wisconsin while Carlini added seven saves and three blocks. Sophomore Tionna Williams recorded a match-high four blocks, adding four kills.

The Badgers started the match strong, running to a 13-9 lead and forcing the Hoosiers to take a timeout. The Hoosiers were able to steal a few points back from Wisconsin, but two Hoosier service errors gave Wisconsin an 18-13 advantage. Back-to-back kills from Williams sealed the first-set victory for the Badgers, 25-19.

Indiana put up a fight in the second set, forcing 10 tied points and three lead changes. Redshirt freshman Kendall Beerman hit four kills in the second period, keeping Wisconsin on its toes.

"I thought we had a heck of a time trying to slow down Kendall Beerman," Sheffield said. "It didn't seem like we could do anything. Even when we were digging her, the ball would end up hitting these low lights and end up getting a kill for them."

The Badgers finally claimed and kept the lead after a Hoosier ball handing error, then went on a 6-3 run to force a Hoosier timeout with a 20-16 advantage. Indiana rallied again for a 3-0 run to cut the UW lead, but the Badgers held out for the 25-21 win and a 2-0 set lead.

The Badgers sprinted to a 5-0 start in the third stanza, keeping the ball rolling through the set to lead by as many as eight points. Four Hoosier errors in the final 7-5 run finished out the set to clinch the Wisconsin sweep, 25-15.

The Badgers travel east to continue Big Ten play at Rutgers on Wednesday, facing the Scarlet Knights at 6 p.m. (CT). Wisconsin returns home Saturday for a matchup with #24 Illinois at the UW Field House, set for 7:30 p.m.