Post by rainbowbadger on Aug 29, 2014 23:21:19 GMT -5
It's night two of the Big Ten/ACC Challenge, and the Badgers, fresh off of victory over Louisville, take on the Fighting Irish, who are so far 0-1 on the season.
The Irish put up a good fight for two sets against Minnesota in the first night of the tournament, taking both sets to extra points. They seemed to tire midway through set 3, however, and the Gophers finished the sweep easily. Also stinging is the recent sidelining of senior outside hitter Alugbue, who's out with an ACL tear.
The Badgers featured a balanced offense and aggressive serving to sweep the Louisville Cardinals in their first match of the season, though the block was more porous and passing less consistent than perhaps the coaching staff (and fans) would like.
GameTracker: www.uwbadgers.com/gametracker/launch/gt_wvolley.html?event=1342874&school=wis&sport=wvolley&camefrom=&startschool=&
Radio: 92.1 The Mic FM / IHeartRadio
Streaming: BTNPlus
Wisconsin on Notre Dame
The Fighting Irish struggled to a 13-18 record in 2013, finishing 11th in the ACC with a 7-13 mark.
Head coach Debbie Brown, who is entering her 24th season at Notre Dame, returns five starters and nine letterwinners. She also brings in six newcomers.
Senior Jeni Houser, a 6-3 middle blocker/right-side hitter, averaged 2.59 kills per set in 2013 while hitting .303. She also added 0.98 blocks per set. Senior Toni Alugbue, a 6-0 outside hitter, chiiped in 2.89 kills and 2.24 digs per set while graduate student Nicole Smith, a 6-1 outside hitter, added 2.35 kills and 0.60 blocks per set.
Notre Dame on Wisconsin
Wisconsin brings back 11 performers from a 28-10 (12-8 Big Ten) squad that made a surprising run to the NCAA Championship match after entering the tournament as a No. 12 seed. Along the way the Badgers bested Milwaukee, No. 16 Florida State, No. 19 Purdue and No. 1 Texas before falling to No. 2 Penn State in the title game. Wisconsin is ranked sixth to open the year and was picked to finish third in the league during the preseason.
The Badgers boast second team All-American Lauren Carlini and honorable mention All-American Ellen Chapman among their returnees. In addition, former Notre Dame player and Badger junior libero Taylor Morey returns for her second year at Wisconsin after playing in all 38 matches as a sophomore.
The series
Wisconsin leads 6-3
Neutral: Wisconsin leads 1-0
Last Meeting: Notre Dame swept the Badgers 3-0 at the Notre Dame Invitational on Sept. 11, 2009.
The Irish put up a good fight for two sets against Minnesota in the first night of the tournament, taking both sets to extra points. They seemed to tire midway through set 3, however, and the Gophers finished the sweep easily. Also stinging is the recent sidelining of senior outside hitter Alugbue, who's out with an ACL tear.
The Badgers featured a balanced offense and aggressive serving to sweep the Louisville Cardinals in their first match of the season, though the block was more porous and passing less consistent than perhaps the coaching staff (and fans) would like.
GameTracker: www.uwbadgers.com/gametracker/launch/gt_wvolley.html?event=1342874&school=wis&sport=wvolley&camefrom=&startschool=&
Radio: 92.1 The Mic FM / IHeartRadio
Streaming: BTNPlus
Wisconsin on Notre Dame
The Fighting Irish struggled to a 13-18 record in 2013, finishing 11th in the ACC with a 7-13 mark.
Head coach Debbie Brown, who is entering her 24th season at Notre Dame, returns five starters and nine letterwinners. She also brings in six newcomers.
Senior Jeni Houser, a 6-3 middle blocker/right-side hitter, averaged 2.59 kills per set in 2013 while hitting .303. She also added 0.98 blocks per set. Senior Toni Alugbue, a 6-0 outside hitter, chiiped in 2.89 kills and 2.24 digs per set while graduate student Nicole Smith, a 6-1 outside hitter, added 2.35 kills and 0.60 blocks per set.
Notre Dame on Wisconsin
Wisconsin brings back 11 performers from a 28-10 (12-8 Big Ten) squad that made a surprising run to the NCAA Championship match after entering the tournament as a No. 12 seed. Along the way the Badgers bested Milwaukee, No. 16 Florida State, No. 19 Purdue and No. 1 Texas before falling to No. 2 Penn State in the title game. Wisconsin is ranked sixth to open the year and was picked to finish third in the league during the preseason.
The Badgers boast second team All-American Lauren Carlini and honorable mention All-American Ellen Chapman among their returnees. In addition, former Notre Dame player and Badger junior libero Taylor Morey returns for her second year at Wisconsin after playing in all 38 matches as a sophomore.
The series
Wisconsin leads 6-3
Neutral: Wisconsin leads 1-0
Last Meeting: Notre Dame swept the Badgers 3-0 at the Notre Dame Invitational on Sept. 11, 2009.