[media-credit name=’BRYAN FAUST/Herald photo’ align=’alignright’ width=’336′][/media-credit]The biggest question for the University of Wisconsin volleyball team this weekend is the status of senior floor captain and outside hitter Maria Carlini.

As Carlini sat out last weekend with a foot injury, Wisconsin lost on the road to No. 14 Ohio State and No. 2 Penn State.

While the Badgers will be seeking to get back on track in the Big Ten race this weekend against No. 9 Purdue Friday and Indiana Sunday, much of their success will depend on Carlini's availability, which is still day-to-day.

"She hasn't practiced this week," UW head coach Pete Waite said of Carlini. "We're just looking at how she feels tomorrow since she's wearing the boot."

Without Carlini in practice, Waite has prepared for this weekend's matches as if Carlini will not be available. Either sophomore Morgan Salow or freshman Caity DuPont will play in her place if she is not ready.

"We're training without [Carlini]," Waite said. "We're putting other people in her spot, but it's just practice as usual."

"But just like she's trying to prepare for the weekend by watching film and doing pool work, we're trying to prepare for the weekend ourselves up here on the court," senior assistant captain and middle blocker Amy Bladow added. "Everybody's bringing a bit more fire to pick up in her absence."

However, if Carlini is the least bit able to go, her teammates will welcome her back with open arms.

"She's one of our go-to players and any time that she's not in, it hurts us not only offensively, but she's also in there bringing a really tough serve and passing nails," Bladow said. "It also affects just the mood on the court."

Wisconsin tips off Homecoming weekend against the Purdue Boilermakers (15-2, 5-1), whose only Big Ten loss was to top-ranked Penn State. However, they just came off a close 3-2 victory at Iowa — combine that with the Field House crowd and the Badgers are feeling very confident about their chances this weekend, with or without Carlini.

"Any time we play at home, it's a great environment to play here," Bladow said. "We have the best crowd in the Big Ten and one of the best in the nation, so it's so much easier to play at home, especially here in the Field House."

Nevertheless, Wisconsin's practice schedule this week has been just as hard as any other week, as Waite knows this is a very strong Purdue team on almost every level.

"Purdue's a real solid team," Waite said. "They have very good ball handlers, good servers, they're pretty deep and it's the kind of team that we have to be on our game to be there with them and have a shot at beating them.

"But at the same time, our team is practicing hard, playing with confidence on the court, and we're making some improvements to be a better team."

Wisconsin will have to look out for the Boilermakers' sophomore duo of outside hitter Danita Merlau and middle blocker Stephanie Lynch. Merlau leads the team with 4.12 kills per game while Lynch chips in 2.30 kills per game while leading the team with .309 hitting percentage and 1.14 blocks per game.

But the biggest adjustment Waite's squad will have to make is in regards to Purdue head coach Dave Shondell's 6-2 offense. The Boilermakers start two setters: freshman Sam Gray and Shondell's daughter, senior Lindsay Shondell. The two setters average 8.66 and 5.63 assists per game, respectively.

While Purdue will be Wisconsin's biggest challenge this weekend, the team will have to make sure it doesn't overlook Indiana on Sunday.

"Indiana's record is one you look at and it looks like they're struggling in the conference," Waite said. "But they've had some really close matches and beat a very good team in Michigan on the road. They've got some good weapons, and we'll prepare for them like we would anyone else."

Sunday's match at the Field House is expected to reach a big crowd with various promotions going on. Not only is it Team and Scout Day — free admission for high school, junior high and club teams, as well as all scout troops — but there is also free admission for those with a ticket stub from either Friday night's game, the UW football game or one of the hockey games.

"We made a point of trying to make this a big one and getting a lot of bodies in here," Waite said. "It's always a great environment, and we have a lot of fun."