[media-credit name=’Derek Montgomery’ align=’alignnone’ width=’648′][/media-credit]The Wisconsin volleyball team (9-5) will look to climb into the top half of the Big Ten standings this weekend when it welcomes Indiana and Purdue to the Field House. With a 3-3 conference record, the Badgers are currently tied with the Boilermakers for sixth place in the league.

"We're right at the same point in the conference race as they are," head coach Pete Waite said. "We're 3-3 and the three loses are against top 10 teams (Ohio State, Penn State and Minnesota). So, we're at a stretch right here where it's important we win these, so that the next time we see those top ranked teams, we have a shot at them and try to move up the conference ladder."

UW is coming off an encouraging weekend that saw it hang tough with No. 3 Minnesota before falling in three games and then bounce back to sweep Iowa. A Wisconsin offense that has been improving week by week will take its swings against two of the most hitter-friendly squads in the Big Ten. Indiana ranks ninth in the conference in opponent hitting percentage at .247, and Purdue is 10th at .249.

Friday night the Badgers will play host to the Hoosiers (6-11), who are still looking for their first Big Ten victory. IU has lost its last nine matches, most recently dropping a 3-0 contest to then-No. 6 Penn State.

"Indiana is struggling this year," Waite said. "I haven't looked at their roster, but I think they've got a number of young players on the court. I think they've been close in some matches, but just not able to pull through in the end."

IU's roster includes five freshmen and four sophomores. Like the Badgers, the Hoosiers have just two seniors on the team: outside hitter Christina Archibald, who is averaging 3.75 kills per game, and middle blocker Katie Pollom. The 6-foot-3 Pollom has been Indiana's most potent offensive threat this season, averaging a team-best 4.00 kills per game while hitting .340. She also leads the conference in total blocks with 84.0.

After suffering back-to-back sweeps at the hands of Penn State and Ohio State, Purdue (10-6, 3-3) will arrive in Madison Saturday looking to get back on the winning track.

"Purdue is playing some great ball," Waite said. "They're playing stronger than they have in the last eight or 10 years probably. The new coaching staff has done some nice things. The kids are just real energized out there."

The Boilermakers, led by second-year head coach Dave Shondell, feature a balanced offense. Hitting .286 as a team, Purdue's attack is led by junior Leah Wischmeier and senior Kim McConaha, each of whom ranks in the Big Ten's top five in kills per game. A 6-foot-1 opposite hitter, Wischmeier averages 4.49 kills per game. McConaha, a 6-foot-1 middle is averaging 1.00 blocks per game in addition to her 4.22 kills per game.

"It is tougher with a balanced offense, plus their setter is very aggressive and she likes to attack the ball often," Waite said. "Purdue is the kind of team where you really have to have a great match overall. You've got to play some great defense and match their intensity."

Waite and Wisconsin had an opportunity to scout Purdue over Labor Day weekend during the Badger Challenge. Though the Badgers did not play the Boilermakers, they were able to observe PU's matches against Missouri and Georgia Tech., both of which Purdue won. Wisconsin meanwhile, split two matches, losing to Missouri in five games before defeating Georgia Tech.

"It was a good way for us to see them when they played in our tournament here," Waite said. "While we didn't play against them, it was good to get some scouting reports and have the kids see what type of team they were."