Going into the match against No. 2 Penn State, Wisconsin knew exactly what they needed to do if they were going to be able to pull off an upset against an undefeated conference foe — serve and pass well. That is exactly what the Badgers did in their impressive three-game sweep of the Nittany Lions.

"The biggest part of it for our team, and we've talked about it all week, is serving tough and passing well," UW head coach Pete Waite said. "The things we did not do well at Penn State this year. Our team had that in their minds since then. They have improved in those areas, and it really paid off tonight."

The seven service aces the Badgers had were only a part of their tough serving game that threw the Nittany Lions' offense off their game.

"I just think that Wisconsin played a terrific match," Penn State head coach Russ Rose said. "The story is how well they played because they prevent us from doing anything."

Back in the hunt

A lot was on the line when the Badgers took on the Nittany Lions Friday night. Wisconsin was looking to get back in the race for the Big Ten title and maintain their winning streak at home.

With the win, Wisconsin remained undefeated at home in Big Ten play and extended their home winning streak to nine. During that stretch the Badgers have only dropped two games, both to Ohio in the consolation match of the AVCA tournament at the beginning of the year.

The Badgers also moved to within two games of first place Penn State with the victory.

"This was huge," Waite said of the win over Penn State. "Obviously, the implications for Big Ten championship to keep us in the race was big. Slow Penn State down this year, nobody's been able to do that yet this year.

"It lets them know they can do it and they need to keep doing it against everybody we will continue to meet including a Sunday match against another very very good team in Ohio State."

The victory also snapped the Badgers' six-game losing streak against the Nittany Lions. The last time Wisconsin beat Penn State most of the members of the Badgers' volleyball team were still in high school. With their last victory over Penn State being back in 2003, only seniors Maria Carlini, Amy Bladow and Katie Lorenzen were in a Badger uniform.

The last time Wisconsin swept Penn State was all the way back in 2000 when the Badgers ended Penn State's Big Ten record of 49 straight conference wins. With the victory, Wisconsin ended another long Big Ten winning streak by the Nittany Lions as Penn State had won 41 straight matches before they came to the Field House.

"I'm just extremely proud of our team for their effort they put in tonight," Waite said. "Penn State is a fantastic program. Obviously, they had a great run to this point of the season."

Carlini plays key role in victory

The last time Wisconsin played Penn State they had to go without the services of senior floor captain Maria Carlini, who had hurt her foot the night before in a match against Ohio State.

The presence of Carlini in the lineup proved to key in the Badgers victory, as she topped all players with 15 kills.

"I thought (Caity) DuPont played terrific against us last time," Rose said. "Carlini gives them a lot more experience playing the game. She has played a key role for them. She led them in kills tonight so certainly it makes a big difference in what they can do. We've played against her a number of times, and she does the things at the net very well and is a very competitive young person."

While she first came back against Minnesota last week, Carlini looked like her old self in her first home match in nearly a month.

"You've got to understand she has had a lot of energy pent up for the last month," Waite said. "So for her to be out there and feel that good — "

"I feel great," an enthusiastic Carlini interrupted.

Field House crowd out in full force

The Halloween festivities going on around State Street did not keep the UW faithful from coming out in full force to support the Badgers. Even though the crowd of 5,487 of costume-clad fans was not the largest attendance this year, they were in the match from the first serve.

"Having the support of our fans, they were incredible tonight," Carlini said. "They were just loud, and it was awesome. They gave us so much energy and I think with the team we were connecting so well. It was awesome.

"We just had so much fun playing, and I think when you have a lot fun everything goes well."