Volleyball - The Daily Cardinal

Kelli Bates and the Badgers advanced to the Sweet Sixteen after two postseason road sweeps.

VOLLEYBALL

Seniors find redemption as Wisconsin routs Northwestern in straight sets

By David Gwidt | Oct. 29, 2017

Following the loss to top-ranked Penn State on the road this past Wednesday, Wisconsin head coach Kelly Sheffield spoke very candidly about his disappointment with the play of the Badgers’ starting outside hitters, publicly criticizing the lack of production he saw from seniors Kelli Bates and Lauryn Gillis. But the two veteran attackers took the scrutiny in stride and responded to their coach’s call to action with a much-improved performance Saturday night against Northwestern.

Dana Rettke has been huge for Wisconsin throughout this year, leading the team on and off the court.

VOLLEYBALL

Badgers working to simulate pressure situations to perform better in tense moments

By Colleen Muraca | Oct. 23, 2017

According to the NCAA, the No. 8 Wisconsin Badgers (5-5 Big Ten, 14-5 overall) have endured the second-hardest schedule in the nation.

VOLLEYBALL

Badgers play well, not well enough to finally beat Minnesota

By Colleen Muraca | Oct. 22, 2017

After an impressive previous week at the UW Fieldhouse that saw the No. 8 Wisconsin Badgers (5-5 Big Ten, 14-5 overall) defeat both the No. 6 Nebraska Cornhuskers (9-1, 16-4) and the Indiana Hoosiers (1-9, 12-10), the Badgers responded with a less convincing two game stint this week.

Kelli Bates knows that the Badgers can't look past Maryland, despite the big matchup with Minnesota this weekend.

VOLLEYBALL

Halfway through Big Ten conference play, Wisconsin now has confidence to redeem loss to Minnesota

By David Gwidt | Oct. 17, 2017

Wisconsin senior outside hitter Kelli Bates was unabashedly clear about what a win over rival Minnesota would mean to her.

VOLLEYBALL

?Wisconsin snaps losing streak, knocks off No. 5 Nebraska en route to signature win

By David Gwidt | Oct. 12, 2017

Successfully closing out opponents has proven to be quite the challenge for the No. 11 Wisconsin Badgers as of late.

MEN'S HOCKEY

Sheffield, Byrne, Granato reflect on previous week, comment on week to come

By Jacqueline Damrow | Oct. 10, 2017

Volleyball: After coming off of two tough losses against ranked teams, the No. 11 Badgers (2-4 Big Ten, 11-4 overall) are eager to take on No. 5 Nebraska (6-0 Big Ten, 13-3 overall) this Wednesday at the field house.

Senior middle blocker Tionna Williams hit .636 percent with seven kills as the Badgers swept the Green Bay Phoenix to advanced to the next round of the NCAA Tournament.

VOLLEYBALL

Scuffling in Big Ten, Wisconsin falls to Michigan State, drops third straight match

By David Gwidt | Oct. 8, 2017

In Big Ten volleyball, nothing ever comes easy. Each team in the conference must overcome their fair share of obstacles, fighting to survive a brutal schedule which proves immensely challenging for even the nation’s most talented teams. And for the No. 7 Wisconsin Badgers (2-4 Big Ten, 11-4 overall), the arduous nature of life in the Big Ten has certainly taken its toll.

VOLLEYBALL

Wisconsin falls yet again to Gophers in grueling five-set match

By Colleen Muraca | Oct. 5, 2017

Nothing quite beats the atmosphere of a gym that is hosting two rival teams. The energy is multiplied, the fans are buzzing and the hairs on the back of everyone’s necks are standing tall.

VOLLEYBALL

In crucial Big Ten slate, Wisconsin gears up for Minnesota, Michigan State

By David Gwidt | Oct. 3, 2017

In crucial Big Ten slate, Wisconsin gears up for Minnesota, Michigan State Letting a lead slip away can be a jarring experience for any athlete, as missed opportunities and improbable collapses may damage the collective confidence or emotional state of the team.

MEN'S HOCKEY

Granato, Sheffield preview week ahead for respective teams

By Peyton Kadlecek and Jacqueline Damrow | Oct. 2, 2017

After a busy weekend in Badger athletics, Wisconsin men's hockey coach Tony Granato and Wisconsin volleyball head coach Kelly Sheffield preview the week ahead. Volleyball: The Badgers (2-2 Big Ten, 11-2 overall) fought hard this weekend as they were faced with back-to-back conference matches on the road.

VOLLEYBALL

Badgers split pair of road games in first conference road trip

By Colleen Muraca | Oct. 1, 2017

An undefeated nonconference season for the No. 7 Wisconsin Badgers (2-2 Big Ten, 11-2 overall) seemingly signaled a dominant start to Big Ten play.

VOLLEYBALL

Wisconsin learning resilience as it prepares for Iowa, Nebraska this weekend

By David Gwidt | Sep. 29, 2017

The Badgers most recent victory over Michigan last Sunday may not have come without the late-set heroics of outside hitter Lauryn Gillis.

Senior hitter Lauryn Gillis helped keep UW alive in a back-and-fourth set that served as a major turning point in Wisconsin's match on Sunday.

VOLLEYBALL

Wisconsin sweeps Michigan, earns first Big Ten victory

By David Gwidt | Sep. 24, 2017

Following a devastating defeat to Michigan State in its Big Ten opener Friday night, No. 5 Wisconsin (1-1 Big Ten, 10-1 overall) got back to business as usual Sunday afternoon, sweeping the twentieth-ranked Michigan Wolverines (0-2, 10-4) by a score of 25-11, 30-28, 25-13, at the Field House. Much like they did in their previous match, the Badgers came sprinting out of the opening gates, getting off to a very fast start in the first set.

VOLLEYBALL

Wisconsin blindsided by Michigan State, lose for first time in wild finish

By David Gwidt | Sep. 23, 2017

In a thrilling and hard-fought Big Ten battle, No. 5 Wisconsin (0-1 Big Ten, 9-1 overall) was pushed to the limit in its conference opener at the Field House Friday night, taking on a Michigan State team (1-0 Big Ten, 8-2) that refused to be overwhelmed by an elite school seeking to defend its home floor.

VOLLEYBALL

UW opens Big Ten play this weekend, looks to remain unbeaten despite tougher opponents.

By Colleen Muraca | Sep. 21, 2017

Often, the first few games of a team’s season can be an indicator of overall success. Win a few and the overall season outlook looks positive — drop a couple and that team puts themselves in a tough position to battle back for conference and potential playoff prowess.

VOLLEYBALL

Wisconsin steamrolls Southern Mississippi, finishes non-conference season unblemished

By David Gwidt | Sep. 17, 2017

If any fans left the Field House worried after watching Wisconsin drop its first set of the season a few days ago against Marquette, those concerns were promptly put to rest Saturday night. In its best performance of the season, No. 5 UW (9-0) thrashed Southern Mississippi by a score of 25-8, 25-10, 25-11, making quick work of the Golden Eagles to secure the Badger Classic tournament title.

VOLLEYBALL

Badgers drop first set of the season, but prevail over Marquette

By Colleen Muraca | Sep. 15, 2017

It wasn’t smooth sailing for the No. 5 Wisconsin Badgers (8-0) as they faced unranked Marquette (5-5) Thursday night at the UW Fieldhouse. Until last night the Badgers hadn’t lost a single set, but with strong leadership from its seniors, UW pulled out a win of three sets to one victory over the Eagles, 19-25, 25-13, 25-21, 26-24. Senior Kelli Bates lead the team with 17 kills and 10 digs to earn herself a double-double and sophomore M.E.

VOLLEYBALL

Wisconsin stresses defense in preparation for Badger Classic

By David Gwidt | Sep. 13, 2017

Building a strong defense is a task that generally takes time and practice. Progression on the defensive side of the court typically occurs at a gradual pace, as players slowly develop a rapport with one another and learn how to play together as one cohesive unit.

VOLLEYBALL

Wisconsin torches Texas A&M, captures HotelRed championship

By David Gwidt | Sep. 10, 2017

Another magnificent performance in the middle helped propel the Badgers to victory in the final round of the HotelRed Invitational, as No. 6 Wisconsin (7-0) took down Texas A&M (3-3) by a score of 25-19, 25-23, 25-10, clinching the HotelRed Invitational Saturday night at the Field House. The combination of middle blockers Tionna Williams and Dana Rettke were dialed in at all times and devastated the Aggies up front.

Wisconsin came dangerously close to losing its first set of the season Thursday night, but it held off a late Lipscomb push and swept the Bison in three sets.

VOLLEYBALL

Wisconsin sweeps Lipscomb, advances to HotelRed title match

By David Gwidt | Sep. 8, 2017

Despite coming dangerously close to losing its first set of the season, No. 6 Wisconsin (6-0) managed to walk away from the UW Field House unscathed yet again, sweeping the Lipscomb Bison (4-3) by a score of 25-19, 25-19, 26-24, in the first round of the annual HotelRed Invitational Thursday night. After gaining a 2-0 set-lead, the Badgers had to fight tooth and nail for the final frame of the match.