This is it. What players and coaches dream of: a chance to play for a national championship. The Badger women's volleyball team's quest for a national title begins Friday night at the UW Field House as the Badgers host the Alabama A&M Bulldogs (24-7) in the opening round of the NCAA tournament.
The Badgers finished the regular season strong, defeating Big Ten foes Michigan and Michigan State. This brought their final regular season record to 14-6 in the Big Ten, earning them a tie for second place, and 23-8 overall.
However, the wins and losses from the regular season are not immaterial as postseason play commences for the Badgers on Friday. The Badgers, seeded 14th overall in the NCAA tournament, play host to Alabama A&M and will host the Duke (24-9) versus Miami (25-5) match. If the Badgers defeat A&M, they will then play the winner of the Duke-Miami battle.
The Badgers though, cannot look ahead to a possible second round match. They must first take care of business on Friday night against the Bulldogs.
\Alabama A&M are great athletes and have great arms,"" Head Coach Pete Waite said. ""The biggest thing in any of these matches is to adjust to the other team as fast as you can.""
Perhaps the greatest advantage the Badgers will have in these opening rounds is that they are playing in their own backyard. The UW Field House has been a hostile environment that opponents have struggled in all season long. Junior setter Morgan Shields understands how vital it is to host opening rounds of the tournament.
""The teams coming in will be pretty intimidated by the size of our fan base,"" Shields said.
Even though the Badgers are playing at home, the beginning of postseason play is still bringing some anxiety and tension to the Badger players. Anxious yet still relaxed, the Badgers must treat these tournament games in the same manner as just another regular season match.
""I feel real calm and steady,"" said senior outside hitter Erin Byrd. ""We're really excited because it is the tournament, a great time of year. This is what you work for all season.""
The team's work has paid off as the Badgers finished strong in Big Ten play. Their defense is strong, their serves are crisp and after struggling to get on the same page mentally, the team appears to have finally turned the corner. Add to that the return of senior middle blocker Lori Rittenhouse and the Badgers look to be hitting their stride heading into the NCAA tournament.
""I think this team is on the rise, and this team has learned from the early season struggles and losses,"" Waite said.
Hopefully these tough lessons will pay huge dividends this upcoming weekend. The Badgers have been looking forward to their return to the NCAA tournament. Last year the Badgers reached the regional semifinals; this year the Badgers hope to go further.
""In the tournament you either win or you're done,"" Byrd said. ""Right now I just want to finish these two matches.""
Win or go home. The Badger pursuit for a national title begins this weekend.
