[media-credit name=’Derek \”D-Rock\” Montgomery’ align=’alignnone’ width=’648′][/media-credit]The biggest difference between this season’s Wisconsin volleyball squad and the 2003 edition is the much improved Badger block. Thanks to a larger roster with an average height of 6-foot and plenty of off-season work, UW is averaging 3.43 blocks per game through the season’s first eight matches. That total is currently tops among all Big Ten teams. Last year by comparison, the Badgers averaged just 2.04 blocks per game, which was the tenth-best total in the conference.

One difference maker has been freshman middle Taylor Reineke, who leads the conference with an average of 1.45 blocks per game.

At 6-foot-3, Reineke is not only tall but quick, which allows her to not only cover the middle but close down outside attacks. She has just one solo block in 20 games but has come up with 28 block assists.

“By her being out next to the outsides almost every time, it lets the outsides become better blockers, it lets our defense dig around a really solid, two-person block rather than try to dig through a lot of holes,” head coach Pete Waite said.

Three of Reineke’s teammates join her among the Big Ten leaders. Sheila Shaw ranks fourth with 1.38 blocks per game, Jill Odenthal’s 1.07 per game are good for fifth and Amy Bladow — who Reineke replaced in the starting lineup — checks in at ninth place with an average of 1.06 per game.

In 2003, not a single Badger finished among the Big Ten’s block leaders. Bladow led the team with an average of 0.77 blocks per game. The smallish frontline struggled in the blocking department, putting increased pressure on the team’s ball handling and passing. This season, UW deploys 6-foot-1 Marian Weidner at outside hitter and 6-foot Jackie Simpson at setter. Each provides a bigger block than former standouts Lisa Zukowski and Morgan Shields, who excelled at offense and passing but lacked the height Weidner and Simpson possess.

Height has not been the sole reason for the improvement, however. Case in point: Odenthal, who last season averaged 0.33 blocks per game, has more than tripled that output early in 2004 by spending the off-season working on her blocking.

The effectiveness of the 2004 frontline was on display at last weekend’s InnTowner Invitational. Wisconsin dominated its three opponents at the net, out-blocking Virginia, Marshall and Cincinnati by a combined total of 44.5 to 11.0. The Badgers set a school record for blocks in a three-game match against the Bearcats Saturday night, as they racked up 23.5 blocks in a 3-0 sweep. While its offense was not clicking at the pace it had been earlier in the tournament, Wisconsin was able to cruise to victory behind its stifling block. — Joe Ziemer

Wisconsin still unranked: Wisconsin (6-2) dropped out of the USA Today/AVCA Top 25 Coach’s Poll after a loss to Kansas at the Jayhawk Invitational. Since, the Badgers have rebounded with four consecutive wins against Rhode Island (Jayhawk Invitational), Virginia, Marshall and Cincinnati. In the poll released Monday, Sept. 20, Wisconsin was knocking on the door with 15 points in the voting. “We’re kind of in that spot where we’re chasing back to get up to the title,” said head coach Pete Waite. “But sometimes that’s a good thing.”

Badger freshmen stepping up play: Waite has been using three freshmen regularly throughout the first eight matches of the season. Setter Jackie Simpson, libero Jocelyn Wack and middle blocker Taylor Reineke have made a big impact on the team. “One of the qualities [they possess] is confidence,” said Waite. “They really came from great backgrounds. They’ve played at a high level during their high school and club days.”

Home-court advantage: The Badgers are ranked third in the nation in attendance with an average of 3,448 fans. Waite believes that the support from the fans and the band give Wisconsin the best home-court advantage in the Big Ten. “I think the band is awesome all the time,” said Waite. “Both in just the noise level and just the cheers they do.” — Adam Korn

Men’s soccer looks to overcome inconsistency: The Wisconsin men’s soccer team has yet to win two games in a row this season, and the main culprits have been inconsistent finishing and defense. A year after holding opponents scoreless eight times, the Badgers have yet to register a shut out in 2004.

“I think we’re a very good attacking team, we need to shore up some things on the defensive end and not give away opportunities,” head coach Jeff Rohrman said. “We have to make teams create opportunities for themselves. I think this team we have is capable of doing very well against anyone.”

Everything has gone well for the Badgers on Sundays, as Wisconsin is a perfect 3-0 on the final day of weekends. Senior forward Jed Hohlbein has done plenty of damage in those three victories, tallying four of his five goals. This weekend the Badgers will look to improve upon a 0-2 Friday record, as they play their only match of the weekend Friday night when they host Indiana University-Purdue University of Indianapolis. — Tom Ziemer

Winning streak snapped: Despite entering play this past weekend with an undefeated record of 6-0, the Wisconsin women’s soccer team failed to earn victory number seven. The start of the Big Ten season was not kind to the Badgers.

After falling to the 5th ranked Penn State on Friday evening by a 4-0 margin, Wisconsin played to a scoreless draw against Ohio State Sunday afternoon.

The Wisconsin offense, which was very effective early in the season, but lacked the same punch over the weekend, will have to get back on track if the team hopes to come out of next weekend with a couple of conference wins. —Brent Neevel