SPORTS
Badgers gain confidence after victory over Bruins
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Also by Aaron Brenner:
- Rockies owe Brew Crew their thanks (October 19, 2007)
- Slow start kills chance of repeat (March 21, 2007)
- Wisconsin loses shot to defend title (March 19, 2007)
- Badgers survive do-or-die (March 16, 2007)
Related Stories:
- Passing plays pivotal role in Badgers' trio of dominant wins (September 19, 2005)
- Wisconsin set for home opener against Villanova (September 16, 2005)
- Room to grow in UW Field House (September 6, 2006)
- Wisconsin doesn't lose game en route to 2005 InnTowner title (September 19, 2005)
- Waite's squad learns from Missouri defeat (September 13, 2005)
by Aaron Brenner
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Wisconsin head women's volleyball coach Pete Waite could not have been more pleased with his team's efforts at last weekend's Inntowner Invitational. In the tournament, Wisconsin knocked off all three opponents, including No. 11 UCLA.
"It was a great weekend for us," Waite said. "Starting out on Friday night, our team was just really clicking on the court. I think being home for the first time in three weekends was fantastic for us. The crowd was great. It was probably the biggest student section I've seen here on an opening night, probably on any night since I've been here, and that just got us rolling through the tournament."
After defeating Villanova and Valparaiso Friday and Saturday night, the No. 13 Badgers readied themselves for the talented Bruins.
"Once we got those first two nights done, we could look at UCLA, because we knew that they're ranked ahead of us and that they're a big-name national program consistently," Waite said. "We were pretty pumped for that match, so our kids played great, played hard."
Waite noted the turning point in the Invitational came in the middle of the UCLA match, when the Badgers faced adversity for the first time in the tournament.
"UCLA was very good, and I thought it was a great battle. We showed some great composure in the second game, when we came back from down six points [16-22] and won the game," Waite said.
The volleyball team had been looking for a confidence boost after a disappointing finish in the Montana State Holiday Inn Classic, where UW went down against No. 10 Missouri. The UCLA victory provided that boost. This was important with a greater test on the horizon.
"There's a great feeling [among the girls] going into this weekend against Minnesota," Waite said. "They will be tough; they're ranked fifth in the country right now. That was a great start for us, beating UCLA, because it really prepares us for this weekend, as we are facing an even tougher Minnesota team."
Blocking to success: Waite could not be more satisfied with the team's consistent strengths.
"Our blocking has been our forte, it's something that we really stretch our opponents out with," Waite said. "When they've got some pretty big hitters on the other side, if we can put up a big block, a consistent block, then they're going to hit some shots that they don't want to, and they'll have to try something new."
When asked if his Badgers could be considered as one of the best blocking teams in the Big Ten, Waite admitted that while UW's front line has played very well in the preseason, the team still has some work to do.
"I think we're almost there, but I don't think we're quite done working with our blocking games. We can still be better, which is a good thought," Waite said.
UCLA win an upset?: Yes, the Badgers' win over the higher-ranked Bruins is technically an "upset," but Waite believes Wisconsin simply outperformed them and didn't necessarily play over their heads to win a surprising victory.
"I think the only reason it was called an upset was the rankings; we were a couple of spots below them," Waite said. "In general, we were able to watch them two times over the weekend, and we felt as a group that we were the better team. We thought that we were a little more mature, a little more solid in our ball-handling. Our kids are confident enough to go against anybody in the top 10 and have a shot at them right now."
Home court advantage a must: Waite completed his conference by crediting the Wisconsin faithful during the InnTowner Invitational.
"With that big crowd, I think the student section realized how much fun the volleyball matches can be," Waite said. "Just as they are at the football, basketball, and hockey games, they were really fantastic."
Waite revealed his hopes that the crowd, particularly the student section, can keep its intensity going against Minnesota in the Badgers' chance for another huge victory.
He concluded, "When our fans get loud, it makes things very distracting for the opponents, which gives us an even better home court advantage."
