(UW ATHLETICS) The Wisconsin volleyball team wrapped up the spring season with a 25-21, 25-23, 25-17 victory over Green Bay on Tuesday night at the UW Field House.
The Badgers were led offensively by outside hitter Mimi Colyer, as she registered 13 kills. Carter Booth was not far behind with 10 kills. As a team, the Badgers hit .274 (46 kills – 17 errors – 106 attempts) on the night. Grace Egan saw the court in serving in the first two sets, but got into the rotation in the final set and finished with six kills.
Green Bay finished hitting .122 (27 – 16 – 90) as Kirsten Fish on the right side led the team with 10 kills.
Wisconsin jumped out to a quick 5-2 lead in set one, and continued to extend the lead on an 11-3 run fueled by three kills from Colyer and two from Booth. The Badgers held a 16-6 lead before the Phoenix went on a 4-0 run to get back within six. The teams traded points back and forth, but the Badgers maintained the lead and held off a late Green Bay rally to take set one 25-21.
The Phoenix used their momentum from the end of the first set, taking an 8-5 lead early in the second. The Badgers tied it back up at 9-9, but Green Bay responded and the teams went back and forth. Out of the media timeout, the Badgers took a 16-13 lead after a service ace from Maile Chan. Another service ace from Addy Horner forced a Phoenix timeout as they trailed 18-14. A service ace from Green Bay tied it all up at 19-all, but the Badgers responded with another ace from Grace Egan to force a second Green Bay timeout, trailing 21-19. The Phoenix got it within one at 23-22 and held off one set point at 24-22, but UW took set two 25-23.
A quick 7-3 lead for UW prompted an early Phoenix timeout to begin set three. The Badgers mixed up the lineup in the third set, moving Una Vajagic to libero while Grace Egan moved to outside hitter. Egan made her presence known with two quick kills when she rotated into the front row. A service ace from Vajagic prompted another GB timeout, as the Badgers led 12-7. Wisconsin spread the offensive wealth from there, maintaining a steady lead. Wisconsin took the set and match, 25-17.
Chan, at libero, led the team with 13 digs. Charlie Fuerbringer was one dig shy from a double-double, recording 35 helpers. Addy Horner added five service aces, as UW finished with nine total. The teams were even at the net with blocks, at seven apiece. Tosia Serafinowska led the team with four blocks.
Straight from the court
Head Coach Kelly Sheffield
On growth in the Spring: “You’re looking for growth, for the team and individually. The first few practices we’re a little quiet, which isn’t something I was used to. They were trying to figure out what it was supposed to look like and sound like. That wasn’t the case by the end, each player had different bright spots throughout the spring. Anybody that watched us, including our players, would say we have talent and we can put it together. That’s what preseason will eventually non-conference will prepare us for.”
On Charlie’s development: “I thought Charlie had a great spring. I think there is a different presence about her this spring than there was in the fall. I think her incorporating the backcourt and knowing when to incorporate them has been something that she has really grabbed onto.”
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