The Wisconsin volleyball team hopes to make a statement on a two-game road swing this weekend in Michigan.
Wisconsin (5-5 Big Ten, 10-9 overall) is coming off a split of two games at the UW Field House last weekend. Last Friday, the Badgers lost to No. 6 Illinois in four sets, but came back to defeat Northwestern in four sets Saturday. Freshman outside hitter Kirby Toon was instrumental in the victory, setting her career highs in blocks (five) and hitting percentage (.407), as well as matching her career high in digs with 10.
""Kirby's a great physical player, and the thing she's been working on the most is actually the mental side of the game; staying positive with herself and letting go of mistakes, and she really did that against Northwestern,"" head coach Pete Waite said.
This weekend, the Badgers take on No. 13 Michigan Friday and Michigan State Saturday. Wisconsin defeated both teams at the UW Field House earlier this month, and both opponents were ranked at the time.
""It's definitely an important weekend for us,"" Toon said. ""Both Michigan and Michigan State are very good teams, and although we beat them here, it will be a different atmosphere playing in their home gyms.""
Waite expects a tough challenge in Ann Arbor against the Wolverines.
""I think they play some aggressive volleyball, and they run a fast offense,"" Waite said. ""Lexi Zimmerman is a super setter; she injured her hand about 10 days ago but we expect her to be back in the lineup. When she's out there, they are doing some great things.""
Zimmerman is currently third in assists in the Big Ten with 11 per game.
Toon's younger sister, Molly, a senior at Middleton High School in Wisconsin,, will play volleyball for Michigan (6-4 Big Ten, 18-5 overall) next season. There has already been some friendly ribbing between the two sisters.
""We've made comments back and forth, but we're both really happy for each other,"" Toon said.
Michigan State (2-8 overall, 14-8 overall) now finds itself on a six-game losing streak, which began against the Badgers. The Spartans started the season with 12 straight victories, but have struggled since entering Big Ten play.
Wisconsin will look to contain MSU junior outside hitter Megan Schatzle, who averages three kills per set.
Coach Waite expects to face a Spartan squad desperate to get out of their recent slump.
""That's a team with their back up against the wall,"" Waite said. ""They're going to be battling. Their libero got hurt in their match here, and I'm sure that set them back a few matches. They are a physical team and we know they're going to be ready to go.""
A sweep of Michigan and Michigan State this weekend would establish the Badgers as one of the top five teams in the Big Ten.
""The Big Ten is a very competitive conference this year, and it's anyone's game,"" Toon said.
