BY ANDY BAGGOT
UWBadgers.com Insider
MADISON, Wis. — There are a couple reasons why Kelli Bates has emerged as one of the most enduring characters in Wisconsin volleyball history.
Bates, a 5-foot-11 outside hitter and libero, has played every set of every match for the Badgers since arriving at UW in 2014.
That's 451 sets and 127 career matches heading into what could be her final appearances at the Field House for Big Ten Conference duels with top-ranked Penn State on Friday and Rutgers on Saturday.
While that's a lot of playing time, it also represents a lot of opportunities for things to go wrong.
But Bates has never been betrayed by her health.
"I've been really fortunate to not get sick," she said. "I've never been injured, either."
Nor has Bates messed up to the degree that UW coach Kelly Sheffield felt his team would be better off without her in the lineup.
Yes, there was that match at Iowa in 2015 when Bates said she was struggling and was pulled during the three-set win because "the coaches needed to make a point to me."
But Bates, a sophomore at the time, was back in the lineup the following night for a resounding five-set takedown of third-ranked Nebraska on the road.
"I think they've always believed in me and my potential," Bates said of Sheffield and his staff.
That sentiment will be part of the narrative on Saturday when Bates and outside hitter Lauryn Gillis will be honored in a post-match ceremony on Senior Night.
Bates, from Bradley, Illinois, and Gillis, from New Castle, Indiana, have a lot in common, starting with the fact both have over 1,000 career kills and both have been entrusted with leading a very young team.
"I love being around both of them," Sheffield said.
Bates originally planned to play for Sheffield at Dayton, but that script changed when Sheffield took the job at UW.
Sheffield was initially skeptical of Bates' sturdiness to play in the Big Ten — the deepest, most physical volleyball league in the nation — but her competitiveness and versatility eventually won him over.
"She finds a lot of ways to impact our team and our success," Sheffield said.
Sometimes that's away from the court.
"I don't know if anyone watches more matches of other teams (on video) when we're not playing than her," Sheffield said of Bates.
Sometimes that's on the court.
"She impacts the competitiveness in our gym," Sheffield said of Bates. "She impacts the enthusiasm and the love of the game and how contagious that is."
Bates' iron woman numbers are not far off the program standards established a season ago when standout middle blocker Haleigh Nelson squeezed 498 sets into 138 matches.
Bates holds Nelson and her selfless legacy in high regard.
"She was ready to compete, always," Bates said. "She always had her teammate's backs. She was always that person who was there and you knew you could count on.
"Ultimately her teammates were her priority."
Bates has tried to replicate that presence this season.
"I've definitely learned being a senior that it is really, really important to make those around you better," she said.
"These girls push me every single day and I like to push them back. That's how you raise the standard. That's how you fulfill the culture."
Bates said she's proud of her iron woman numbers because they define a certain reliability.
They illustrate a willingness to show up every day ready to compete.
They suggest a high level of trust with teammates.
They reflect a never-ending challenge that Bates and her UW teammates embrace each time they step on the court.
In other words, consistency is hard.
"It's something our coaching staff talks about all the time is being consistent yourself and the team being consistent for long periods of time in the match," Bates said.
"It's about you being there for your teammates. It's your job."
The 11th-ranked Badgers (19-8 overall, 10-8 in the Big Ten) have had a lot of ups and downs since opening the season with nine straight wins.
"You have to ride them out together," Bates said.
A life science communications major, Bates is on pace to graduate in May, but isn't sure what career path she'll follow.
"It's very scary," she said of life beyond UW, "but I'm optimistic."
Bates said those iron woman numbers help frame a wonderful experience.
"It is cool because you never want to take these moments for granted," she said. "It's something I've really, really appreciated, being a part of a team.
"It will be tough to say goodbye, but I've learned so many lessons."
