No. 6 Wisconsin (2-1 Big Ten, 11-2 overall) continued Big Ten play Wednesday night, defeating Northwestern (2-1, 12-2) in three sets at the Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, Ill.
In the third match of conference play, the Badgers swept the Wildcats 25-20, 25-16 and 25-23.
At Monday’s weekly press conference, Wisconsin head coach Kelly Sheffield commented on the upcoming road trip against Northwestern.
“They’re very experienced, very powerful, very big,” Sheffield said. “This is a tough road trip this week.”
Wisconsin made the predicted “tough road trip” look easy as the Badgers took all three sets.
It was a freshman-led offense for both teams Wednesday night. Wisconsin outside hitter Kelli Bates and Northwestern outside hitter Symone Abbott both totaled 13 kills throughout the match.
Abbott has been a leader for Northwestern’s offense, being honored as Big Ten’s Freshman of the Week after the Wildcat Classic Sept. 12-13.
Meanwhile, Bates has shown her skill for the Badgers by playing in all 12 matches and ranking third on the team in kills per sets.
Sophomore middle blocker Haleigh Nelson dominated the front row with five blocks throughout the three sets. Nelson has received Big Ten Freshman of the Week as well and ranks second on the team in blocks per set. Nelson was named to the 2013 Big Ten All-Freshman team last season.
Junior libero Taylor Morey tallied 14 digs throughout the match, falling short to Northwestern’s redshirt junior libero Caroline Niedospial who had 16. Morey leads the Badgers and the Big Ten with the highest digs per set in the 2014 season.
The Badgers continue their Big Ten play on the road at No. 16 Illinois (3-0, 11-3) Saturday for a 7 p.m. match at Huff Hall in Champaign, Ill. The Fighting Illini have started their conference schedule with three consecutive wins against Maryland, Rutgers and Minnesota.
Redshirt junior outside hitter Jocelynn Birks leads Illinois in kills per set, with senior opposite Liz McMahon following as a close second. Birks and McMahon have both been awarded Big Ten Player of the Week so far this season.
When the road trip ends, the Badgers will return home to the Field House next week to host newly admitted Big Ten programs Maryland and Rutgers.
