Nov. 26, 2009

MADISON, Wis. - The Wisconsin volleyball team (11-16 overall, 6-12 Big Ten) wraps up the 2009 season by hosting two matches in the UW Field House. Wisconsin takes on Indiana (15-17, 4-14) on Friday and Purdue (13-16, 5-13) on Saturday. Both matches are at 7 p.m.
    Wisconsin fell to seventh place in the Big Ten Conference standings after losing its last seven matches. The Badgers will not compete in the NCAA tournament for the second straight year and will record their first losing record since 1992.
    The Badgers will honor seniors Brittney Dolgner and Caity DuPont prior to their final home match on Saturday.

THIS WEEKEND’S PROMOTIONS

While supplies last, fans at Friday night’s match vs. Indiana will receive special “Black Friday” Wisconsin volleyball t-shirts courtesy of Bucky’s Locker Room.
    The Badgers honor seniors Brittney Dolgner and Caity DuPont prior to Saturday night’s match vs. Purdue. Saturday is also Waupun and Muskego Hometown Days with residents of those two towns receiving admission for $1.

Indiana:

• Indiana (15-17, 4-14) has dropped its last three matches, most recently losing to No. 1 Penn State on Nov. 21. The Badgers have already defeated the Hoosiers once this season, winning 3-2 in Bloomignton, Ind. on Oct. 18.
• Ashley Benson and Jordan Haverly headline Indiana’s offense. Benson, a 6-3 middle blocker, averages 3.29 kills per set while holding a .357 hitting percentage. Haverly, a 6-1 outside hitter, puts down 3.24 kills per set.
• Sophmore Mary Chaudoin and freshman Whitney Granado split time at setter for Indiana. Chaudoin leads the team with 6.71 assists per set, while Granado     puts up 5.44 assists per set.
• The Badgers will need to overcome the Hoosiers’ strong blocking game. IU averages 2.32 blocks per set and is led by Benson who stuffs 1.14 blocks/set. Taylor Wittmer, a 6-1 middle blocker, adds .94 blocks/set, while Chaudoin averages 0.83 blocks per set.
• Caitlin Cox, a sophmore libero, leads the Hoosiers with 3.69 digs per set. Haverly averages 2.10 digs per set.

Purdue:

• Purdue (13-16, 5-13) recently lost four straight matches before winning against Ohio State on Nov. 21, 3-1. The Boilermakers defeated the Badgers on Oct. 16, 3-1, in West Lafayette, Ind.
• Carrie Gurnell, a 6-1 outside hitter, leads Purdue offensively with 3.12 kills per set. Tiffany Fisher also makes significant offensive contributions. A 6-2 middle hitter, Fisher scores 2.38 kills per set and maintains a .311 hitting percentage.
• Purdue’s setter, Jaclyn Hart, dishes out 10.19 assists per set and also hits a team-high .327 percent.
• Similar to Indiana, Purdue is also a strong blocking team, averaging 2.31 blocks per set. Kristen Arthurs leads the team with 0.92 blocks/set, while Anna Drewry and Fisher stuff 0.81 and 0.80 shots per set, respectively.
• Sophmore defensive specialist Blair Bashen leads the Boilermakers in digs with  3.42 per set.