Despite the success the Wisconsin women’s volleyball team has seen this season, head coach Kelly Sheffield believes they could be doing better.
The team is currently 14-6 overall, 6-4 Big Ten, ranked No. 11 in the nation and No. 3 in the Big Ten, which Sheffield explained during his weekly news conference isn’t where they’d like to be.
But Sheffield believes the Badgers can benefit from a lack of disparity among the top teams in the Big Ten. Conference rankings can change any night, and that kind of change is something that he has seen happen before in the Big Ten.
In fact, competition is so close right now that all the Badgers would need is another team to acquire two five-set loses in order to be ranked first.
The Badgers’ continued improvement throughout 2015 has the veteran coach impressed and convinced his team can take advantage of this position. While Wisconsin might not have a perfect record, Sheffield is firm in his belief that they’ve come a long way since their opening defeat to Western Kentucky.
Volleyball: Western Kentucky upsets No. 5 Wisconsin in season opener
Even with strides forward earlier in the season, losses acquired against Arkansas, Penn State and Ohio State hid the underlying improvement.
“When you’re getting better and you’re losing, it leaves a bitter taste in your mouth,” Sheffield said.
Sheffield credited his team’s spirits during these weeks for helping them to come back from losses and become stronger overall. The team’s refusal to give up on themselves was one of the most important aspects for them to keep going this season.
Two players that Sheffield accredited for their determination and grit were sophomore outside hitters Lauryn Gillis and Kelli Bates. Sheffield acknowledged that while both women have struggled during the season, they have always worked on their problems and pushed themselves to be better.
“They’ve continued to believe in the fight and I think that’s when you really show your character,” Sheffield said.
Looking toward the Badgers’ next match at 7 p.m. Friday at the UW Field House against No. 22 Purdue (17-4, 8-2 Big Ten), they will face a team that is second in the Big Ten in hitting percentage (.279) and assists per set (13.22) and third in the Big Ten in kills per set (14.21). In spite of a high-powered Purdue offense, Sheffield desires to keep the team’s current momentum going to finish their Big Ten homestead on a high note. He believes his team’s newfound grittiness is sure to help.
“[Wisconsin is] feisty and that grittiness is coming more to the surface,” Sheffield said. “They’re not giving up — they haven’t given up on themselves or each other. I think they’ve embraced the learning process.”
