Wisconsin volleyball got off to a good start to their season this weekend, reaching the final of the USF Invitational before being bounced by Creighton in the championship match. The Badgers won the first set, but would drop the next three in losing their first match and first sets of the season.
Creighton took the title by a score of 17-25, 25-14, 25-20, 25-22 to go 3-0 in the tournament.
Wisconsin got to the final by winning every set along the way to defeating USF 3-0 and fellow Florida school UCF 3-0 to start the year off right.
In the finals against Creighton it's safe to say it was an ugly match for both teams. The Badgers' errors really cost them, as the Blue jays had a .265 hitting percentage to Wisconsin's .210 in the win.
Creighton also took over the match from the the service line and the net, recording 5 serving aces and out-blocking Wisconsin 10-2 for the match.
Leading the way for Wisconsin was sophomore outside hitter Ellen Chapman who had 16 kills in the finals and recorded 44 total kills in the tournament. Having an equally good match was junior Julie Mikaelsen who also recorded 16 kills in the match and finished the tournament with 33 total kills.
Defensively Annamarie Hickey led the way in the match, recording a team best 22 digs. However, all of that effort didn't lead to good offense as the Badgers passing let them down following the first set as they 9 more errors than the Blue jays.
Courtney Thomas set the tone in passing, recording a career best 44 assists in the match, while also adding the only Badger aces as well. However, she was the only bright spot in those categories.The Badgers volleyball team head out west next weekend to compete in the Long Beach Invitational with James Madison, Cal State Northridge and Long Beach State completing the field for the tournament.
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