[media-credit name=’JEFF SCHORFHEIDE/Herald photo’ align=’alignright’ width=’336′][/media-credit]The ninth-ranked Wisconsin Volleyball team continues on the road this weekend as they travel to Northwestern Friday to play the Wildcats and Michigan State Saturday to face the Spartans. On their current road trip, the Badgers are 7-1 and 2-0 in the Big Ten.

Although the Badgers have not played a home game since August, they don't seem to be wearing down. Each game is one step closer to their Big Ten home opener against Purdue Oct. 5.

Head coach Pete Waite attributes the team's ability to get through its long road trip to the way it traveled and played in Europe this summer.

"I think the fact that we took a foreign trip over the summer, and it was two weeks of packed travel, constant travel [helped]," Waite said. "You are moving every day and a half out of hotels, [whereas] here, they are gone from Thursday to Saturday nights, then they have a week at home, at school and in their own room. So, it's not as bad as it might seem, and they are handling it really well."

The Badgers' opponents are formidable this weekend. Northwestern has a veteran team, just as Wisconsin does.

"Northwestern, actually, is a more veteran team," Waite said. "They are a lot like us. They've had probably four of their starters that have started since they were freshmen. They have a new setter in [Elyse] Glab, [who] is doing a nice job. So, we have to see what kind of style she brings to the table."

Glab, a freshman, ranks second in the Big Ten in assists, averaging 13.13 per game. Another threat Northwestern has is sophomore libero Kate Nobilio. Nobilio, a member of the freshman All-Big Ten team last year, is second in the Big Ten in digs, averaging 6 per game.

"We are just trying to avoid [Nobilio] on all of our hitting," middle blocker Audra Jeffers said. "She was on the all-freshmen team last year, so she is a very good player,"

Katie Johnson is the player to watch for Michigan State. Johnson ranks seventh in the Big Ten in kills, averaging 4.35 per game.

For the Badgers, Jeffers is looking to build off of last week's success. She had eight blocks against Michigan last Saturday, helping her earn Big Ten defensive player of the week honors. Jeffers is averaging 1.34 blocks per game and is helping the Badgers hold opponents to a .134 hitting percentage.

Jeffers realizes it won't just be her defense that helps the Badgers, but her ability to be a great all-around player.

"Well, that's defensive player of the week. I want to improve on my offense," Jeffers said. "I was very happy with my blocking, but offense, I think, I could have scored more. We have been working on, in practice, placement shots. So, I'm going to incorporate those and do better offensively."

Along with Jeffers, the Badgers have worked hard this week trying to prepare for two games in two nights. Waite said that the team needs to be able to get a faster start in each game and not have to make a comeback. Also, he said the team was focused on being prepared to play back-to-back matches.

"We are just trying to make the areas we do well in and take it up another notch. I think we are really happy with the way we blocked last week," Waite said. "I think in both matches we started a little slow, but again, when you are on the road and the other team has a lot of energy, you have to withstand that."

Playing a road game in the Big Ten can take a lot out of a team. Senior co-captain Jocelyn Wack said that on any given night, anybody can win . When the crowds get into the stadium, they are excited to see a team play, especially when they have the chance to beat a top-ranked team.

"You always have to go in and play in a tougher environment, and the other team is usually pumped up because they are at home," Waite said.

However, the Badgers are looking forward to playing in front of their own fans at the Field House.

"It's kind of like we are getting used to it because we have been on the road for so long, but it will make it that much sweeter when we are back at home," Wack said.