Things are starting to look up for the UW women's volleyball team (1-2 Big Ten, 7-3 overall). After dropping their first two Big Ten games at home last weekend, the Badgers are riding Wednesday's 30-28, 30-20, 30-16 victory over Northwestern into Sunday's home match against No. 19 Illinois (1-1, 9-2).
During the team's sweep of the Wildcats, sophomore setter Katie Lorenzen had a standout performance and gave the Badgers the consistency they have been looking for. She came off the bench to fill in for the team's usual setter, freshman Jackie Simpson, and in her performance put up a career best 37 assists and seven digs. Lorenzen, who only played in three matches during her redshirt freshman season last year, will enter the starting lineup for the Illinois game.
\Katie came in and did a nice job setting for us,"" Wisconsin head coach Pete Watie said in a press release following the Northwestern game. ""That's the most court time she's gotten, and she handled it very well. She's been training hard for the last couple years to be ready for a moment like that.
""I think she came in and she settled everybody down, and they got into a better groove.""
Wisconsin was down in the first game 15-10, but once Lorenzen entered, the Badgers quickly pulled ahead 19-18. Nevertheless Northwestern held on and tied Wisconsin six more times before the game ended. Junior middle blocker Shelia Shaw and senior Jill Odenthal recorded back-to-back kills to put a wrap on the game.
The Badgers then had no problem controlling the rest of the match, hitting over .400 in both games (.419 and .421 respectively).
Besides the change at the setter position, Waite has made some adjustments in freshman libero Jocelyn Wack's spot. Changes aside, she still managed 19 digs and helped UW out-do Northwestern 49-41 in the category.
""Jocelyn did a great job for us in the back row,"" Waite said. ""We made a position change where we've got her playing middle back instead of left back. It's a position that's more comfortable for her. It's all she played in high school and I think it's a good move for her and for the team.""
Now that the team's first Big Ten victory is behind them, they can look to get their first win on the home court. As Wisconsin's third-ranked opponent in the last four matches, Illinois will not be easy to roll over even though they will be without their All-Big Ten setter. Senior Erin Virtue suffered a season-ending knee injury back on Sept. 17 and since her injury, the Fighting Illini are 1-2.
Illinois will still have a few things in its advantage even with Virtue's absence. The Illini will probably be the best serving team the Badgers will face all season. So far, they are averaging 2.12 service aces a game, which dominates the rest of the Big Ten.
Illinois also has three players in the starting lineup that stand six feet or higher. Junior outside hitter Rachel Van Meter (6'-3') tallies a team high 4.29 kills a game and junior outside hitter Rasa Virsilaite (6') adds 3.75 a game. Finally, 6'-1' sophomore Meghan Macdonald's .328 hitting percentage is a team best.
The Big Ten season is still young but the Badgers want to find the right fit for the rest of the season as soon as possible. Lorenzen, along with newcomer freshman middle blocker Taylor Reineke, will give the starting lineup a new look and hopefully some added success.
Whatever the lineup may be, Sunday's 1 p.m. game against Illinois at the Field House will determine if Wisconsin has finally found the right fit for their starting seven.
