It's the details that'll count for the UW volleyball squad.
After another tough loss to conference leader No. 6 Minnesota, the UW Volleyball team is prepping for its next two matches this weekend against Illinois Friday and Purdue Saturday.??With six conference games to go before the NCAA Tournament, the 9-5 Badgers are looking to earn six wins to secure a top conference spot.??
Being one of six teams clumped in the middle of the Big Ten standings, every game will be significant in deciding the top finishing spots.?? Winning the conference title was a team goal for the season. However, after taking a second loss to Minnesota this past weekend, that goal has become more off-set.??
\Obviously we're not there,"" junior defensive specialist Jill Maier said, ""Hopefully we can take second overall.""
While the Badgers will not have the chance to face Minnesota again, Head Coach Pete Waite noted the possibility of other teams overcoming the No. 1 Gophers, which would be to the benefit of the team for the conference standings.
""They're on the road with some tough matches, so there's a possibility some other teams could get it done,"" Waite said.??
With Illinois and Purdue this weekend, the team is looking to start a late-season winning streak right away.?? After their previous loss to Illinois, the team is looking for a little revenge.??
""We didn't play well at their place,"" Waite said. ""We want to prove that we're a better team since that time.""
It's doubtful that anyone would dispute the team's improvement.??
""We're more stable overall and we're clicking more as a group,"" Meyer said.??
Sophomore outside hitter Jill Odenthal agreed. ""We've bonded as a team.?? We're used to each other and we're meshing well,"" she said.??
With the numerous line-up changes that have taken place, that is important.??
""Everybody's equally strong and everybody's working hard,"" Odenthal said. ""Everybody deserves a shot on the court.?? If someone's having an off night, we have someone ready to go in.""
Waite's decisions to get the newer players experience early on seems to be advantageous moving into the later season.??
""People are experienced coming off the bench,"" he said. ""They're working hard and ready to come in.""
Waite, Odenthal and Maier all agreed, though, that it's the little things the team needs to focus on in order to get wins in the upcoming matches.
Waite echoed that, stating the team's need to ""take care of the basics and the small details of the game'free balls, sustained quality of play, serve-receive, huge effort and hustle.""??
""We're right where we're supposed to be overall.??We have to take care of these last six matches.?? It's not over yet even though it feels like it's all coming to an end. We want to have fun as well and end the season on a good note,"" Odenthal said. ""Hopefully we'll peak at the end of the season if we keep taking steps forward.""??Everyone's looking forward to the team beginning those steps forward this weekend at the UW Field House.
