More than 5,000 miles away from home this past summer, Kelli Bates learned what it means to lead and handle the responsibilities she will face this season.
Her realizations came after participating in the inaugural Big Ten Foreign Tour, an all-star team of players, one from each school in the conference, selected to visit Croatia, Slovenia and Italy. The team played the Croatian, Slovenian and Italian national volleyball teams, along with the Croatian Club champions Zok Porec, from June 13 to 25.
“They were all such tough teams to face,” Bates said. “It was so much fun to play against girls who are so good at what they do. I mean, they’re professional athletes. It was an amazing experience just to even play against them.”
At each stop they not only played games, but hosted clinics, met locals and went sightseeing, an experience Bates said was unforgettable.
But the reason behind the tour wasn’t lost on the Wisconsin sophomore, the experience helped her recognize what’s missing in her play and things she needs to work on to ensure the Badgers’ success this season.
“This year, especially with so many freshmen and transfers, learning to communicate better will be a big factor,” Bates said. “We’ll be trying to figure out what’s best for our new teammates in order to help them play at their highest potential by connecting on and off the court. This experience gave me a great chance to practice that and adjust to new people.”
For a Badgers team returning only six players from the 2014 squad, Bates will need to step up and help bring together a team that is still developing.
Coming off a Big Ten Championship and Elite Eight appearance, Bates said working on communication is essential if the Badgers want to get back to that level of success.
The 5-foot-11 outside hitter confessed that she felt lost at times last season, but the guidance and care of upperclassmen helped her come into her own. That communication was paramount to her development and she said she’s looking to pass on the same direction to her new teammates.
“[As] a freshman last year, all of the older girls helped me,” Bates said. “That’s how I need to be this year with so many new faces. I have to return the favor I was given and be steady for them. I want to be a buffer for them, whenever they feel pressure or lack confidence I want to be there for them.”
Bates’ time on the tour also helped her see things not always present in a Big Ten match, which she hopes will improve her own game as well.
“There was a huge difference in the serving game,” Bates said. “It was so much harder to read the way they served. The Europeans did a fantastic job mixing up placement and keeping the receivers honest. They were so consistent.”
Bates recorded 331 kills last season, averaging 2.85 kills a set for 15th best in the Big Ten and the most on the Badgers’ roster. She was part of a front line that averaged 14.3 kills per set and had an attacking percentage of .275, second in both team categories in the Big Ten in 2014.
With an already impressive stat line, UW head coach Kelly Sheffield believes Bates’ time on the Foreign Tour will prove useful in her development as a player.
“At times she carries herself with a lot more strength,” Sheffield said. “But I think she’s a lot more confident coming out of the tour. It’s something I’d like to see her continue growing from. I think she’s playing bigger now, more noticeable, and I feel that she even has more room to grow in that area.”
Bates said she hopes to relate to all of the newcomers and serve as a leader to help reach their team goals this season.
On a team with eight newcomers, experience is not a luxury the Badgers have in many of their players. But Bates and all of this season’s squad will not be afforded the treatment of a young and inexperienced unit, Sheffield said.
“Everyone is expected to step up,” Sheffield said. “What we expect is for individual players to continue to get better as the season goes on. That improvement doesn’t just fall on one or two people. It’s something that all of my players need to own up to.”
