SPORTS
Wisconsin blanks in-state rival in spring finale
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by Michael Poppy
Thursday, April 21, 2005
The Wisconsin volleyball team ended the spring season on a positive note, routing the UW-Green Bay Phoenix 4-0 in front of a home crowd at the UW Field House Wednesday evening.
Despite consisting mainly of underclassmen, the Phoenix appeared to be a formidable opponent in the early going of every game. Junior Jackie Rosen gave Wisconsin some problems, leading UWGB with 13 kills, but, eventually, the Badgers’ overwhelming size advantage got the best of the Phoenix.
“We were a little slow starting off and then we kind of picked up into things,” middle blocker Sheila Shaw said. “Overall, I thought we did really well, and we still have a lot to work on, too. We have a long way to go.”
Shaw put on a dynamic performance, recording 14 kills and tying Maria Carlini for the team lead. A senior-to-be in the fall, Shaw has been working on improving her serves in the spring season, and all of her hard work was put on display as she recorded two overpowering service aces.
“I’ve been working on [my serve] a lot, actually,” Shaw said. “I’ve been really struggling with it, so it’s just really nice to come out and just do it finally and see results.”
The game was a first in front of the home crowd for freshman Audra Jeffers, who redshirted in the fall season.
“It felt really fun to be on the court with everyone,” Jeffers said. “Everyone was really supportive and, even before the match started on the floor, people were really excited for me to be out there and play.”
Jeffers had some freshman jitters right away as she netted the game point in the first game, but feels the game helped her get into the rhythm of match play and prepared her for what to expect in the fall.
“I was just really anxious, like I couldn’t wait for it,” Jeffers said. “I just hope to keep improving, get a more aggressive serve going, and just keep working on things, but I think we’re going to do awesome as a team. [We’ve] just got to work on defense and all that stuff.”
Jeffers is one of the players that head coach Pete Waite has been auditioning for at the right-side hitter position left empty by All-American Jill Odenthal’s graduation. Aubrey Meierotto started the night at the position, but Jeffers, Amy Bladow and Sheila Shaw all also saw extensive time at the right side versus UWGB, as Waite has yet to decide on a set lineup for next season.
“We’re still trying new things and seeing what works best for us,” Waite said.
Most surprising was the fact that Waite decided to move Shaw to right-side position for the final game of the match, with Jeffers shifting back to the middle. Shaw is a returning starter at middle blocker from a year ago, but Waite hasn’t ruled out the possibility of trying her out at the right side.
“She’s the middle — but you know what? — we’re looking at our options because she does so well on the outside hits, too, and she’d be a veteran right-sider if we’d do it,” Waite said. “We’re just looking at things, so it’ll be a surprise when we come out in the fall and see what we do.”
Jeffers, too, is a natural middle blocker, as she was recruited to play the position. However, she has enjoyed her time at the right-side-hitter position this spring almost more so than in the middle.
“[The right side] is a lot different than middle,” Jeffers said. “The timing is a lot different, but I’m adjusting to it. It took a while, but I’m starting to really like it a lot.”
Whatever position Jeffers ends up at in the fall, Waite is sure she will be a factor, as he has seen much improvement in her overall game.
“[Audra Jeffers] will just get stronger and stronger,” Waite said. “She showed us some things in the fall that really got us excited and, no matter what position we put her [in], she does a nice job and she’ll still be young at there, no doubt. It’s good to redshirt her, but she’s going to get better all the time.”
Much of Waite’s main focus in the spring has been improving on his team’s defense. Known to be more of a blocking and offensive team in the fall, Waite has put a strong emphasis on changing his team’s defensive image this season, and it showed in Wednesday’s match as Aubrey Meirotto, one of the team’s stronger offensive players, shared the team lead with 19 digs, along with Jocelyn Wack.
“[We’ve been focusing on] a lot of defense,” Waite said. “I think the last play, Jackie (Simpson) was really trying hard to get the ball to Maya Carroll. She doesn’t get on the court much for us, and she was really forcing the ball and just doing everything she can to get her to score and that was fun to see, but a lot of scraping by the defense — I like that.”
This match was the only time the Badgers have used a regular match format in the spring. Although they played to four games instead of the typical three, it was a good opportunity for Waite to gauge his team’s play in a real match situation and present a match-up that forced the Badgers to play solid defense.
“It’s good to kind of see where we are at the end of the spring season,” Waite said. “I think match-up wise, size-wise was to our advantage, but ball-handling and quickness, [UWGB] had the advantage, and that was our goal — to play as good of defense as they did, even though we’re the taller team.”
