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As the weather starts to cool off outside, things are beginning to heat up for the Wisconsin Volleyball team.

“Every day that goes by in preseason, our team chemistry gets better,” head coach Pete Waite said. “You know, you lose a group of five, it takes time for people to fill in the spots.”

The Badgers, who go into the season ranked No. 13 in the American Volleyball Association Coaches’ Poll, are looking to match and improve on their success in 2007.

Last year, the Badgers finished 14th in the AVCA Poll and second in the Big Ten behind eventual national champions Penn State. In last year’s NCAA tournament, Wisconsin experienced a disappointing loss to Iowa State in the second round despite playing at home.

Although they did not finish the season on a high note, the Badgers are getting ready to challenge the best of the Big Ten. Since they started practice in the middle of August, the team has begun to mesh together in preparation for their first tournament at the Kentucky Classic on Aug. 29.

“The team is looking really solid. Everybody is coming in and working really hard,” senior middle blocker Audra Jeffers said. “The coaches are pushing us a lot this year. [Assistant coach Brian Heffernan] is teaching a lot of new techniques. So every day there is something new to work on.”

After the conclusion of the 2007 season, the Badgers lost five seniors, including All-American setter Jackie Simpson, middle blocker Taylor Reineke and libero Jocelyn Wack. However, Waite is excited to see his team step it up despite losing its senior leadership.

“We are not looking for a single person to step up and be a leader,” Waite said. “We are looking for them as a committee and as group to step up, especially the upperclassmen. You know, they all have experience in our training. ”

This year, the Badgers will look to have both Jeffers and junior outside hitter Brittney Dolgner, who was a second-team All-American last year, step into the spotlight to help carry the team. Both Dolgner and Jeffers were named to the preseason All-Big Ten, but do not feel any more pressure after being given the honors.

“It’s a great honor to be recognized. I don’t think it’s a lot of pressure. It’s just high expectations,” Dolgner said.

Along with an experienced lineup, the Badgers have also brought in a top 10 recruiting class. The freshman class will have to fill the huge gap left by last year’s seniors, including making up for over 500 kills and countless assists and digs. Although there is a huge gap between high school and college volleyball, the freshman are beginning to adapt to their new surroundings and mesh with the team.

“It seems like they are really catching on fast,” Jeffers said. “They are doing a great job. We are just here to help them with the transition and if they have any questions. Just show them what campus is all about, taking them to their classes. ”

The Badgers are also looking forward to many of their role players stepping up their game this year. Outside hitter Katherine Dykstra, who averaged 2.49 kills per game, is looking to keep improving her game and continue her success. Junior setter Nikki Klingsporn is also looking to fill the large gap Simpson left after last year.

This year, the Badgers will have a tough road ahead of them to regain the Big Ten title, which they have not won since 2001. After playing the InnTowner Invitational at the Field House on Sep. 12-13, they do not return home until they play Michigan on Oct. 3.

The two biggest matches for the Badgers will be against rivals Penn State and Minnesota, both of which were ranked ahead of Wisconsin in preseason polls. Last year, the Badgers were able to sweep the Gophers but lost both matches against the Nittany Lions. If Wisconsin is going to win the conference, they will probably need to sweep both teams.

Until then, however, the Badgers need to keep improving and solidify their lineup before the Big Ten season. Look for the youth of the team to become major contributors early in the season, helping to create a strong line when conference play rolls around.

“It’s a fun group to be around. They are competitive, and they want to be better,” Waite said. “That is the real key to the possibility to great success at the end of the year.”