Wisconsin Badgers’ 13-0 Volleyball Start: What Coach Sheffield Really Thinks
Wisconsin's Izzy Ashburn (left) and Devyn Robinson celebrate a point during the volleyball team's sweep of Indiana at the UW Field House in Madison, Wis. on Sunday Sept. 23, 2023.
© Mark Stewart / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
The Wisconsin Badgers are causing waves in college volleyball. With a perfect 13-0 record, the Badgers are just one of six Big Ten teams in this week’s top 25. Sharing the limelight with the likes of Penn State, Minnesota, and Ohio State, they’re proving that the Big Ten conference is a battleground for volleyball domination.
Not All Wins Are Created Equal
Despite the dazzling records, Head Coach Kelly Sheffield was far from thrilled during his recent media conference. “I wasn’t particularly pleased with how we played against Ohio State, I thought it wasn’t how we wanted to play with effort.” he expressed. His dissatisfaction centered around the team's effort, contrasting it with their stronger performance against Michigan. Sheffield continued, "I thought we gave a lot better effort yesterday against Michigan. I thought our effort was great, we were scrambling, we were covering our attackers, getting a lot of swings off of scramble plays and in transition, and balls that were being blocked, fighting to keep the ball off the ground.”
Wisconsin's Julia Orzol makes a pass during the team's match with Indiana at the UW Field House in Madison, Wis. on Sunday Sept. 24, 2023.
© Mark Stewart / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
Spotlight on Junior Julia Orzol and Senior Duo MJ Hammill and Izzy Ashburn
Sheffield was pleased with junior Julia Orzol’s skills, praising her ability to perform under pressure.
"She was ridiculous good and she was a freshman and on massive stages right there," Sheffield told reporters. "... she was a good, solid passer throughout the year, but when you know, it wasn't just the NCAA tournament. ... We played quite a few fifth sets throughout that throughout that season. She was good in those moments, and, I think, you know, are you a player that gets wound tight or doesn't want to be there? Or is there an element of focus and calm and determination and skill set that allows you to play well when those moments call for it? And you could tell that right away from her from her. She doesn't shy away from those moments."
"...I've been really impressed with Julia's progression back here so far this season," Sheffield stated.
Coach Sheffield also admired how seniors MJ Hammill and Izzy Ashburn have evolved their partnership, indicating that their improved sync is a significant factor behind the team's climbing hitting percentages.
"In sync is a good way of putting it. ... I would say ... their leadership has gotten a little bit more in sync. They complement each other."
"Their tempo is becoming similar," Sheffield continued. "... which is, can be a real problem when you're running a 6-2. If the types of balls that you're putting up are dramatically different, it puts a lot of stress ... on the offense and the timing of the offense and the attackers. But they're getting closer to that and I think that's a big reason why you're seeing our hitting percentages climb, from where they were a year ago."
Wisconsin setter MJ Hammill (6) serves during their volleyball match against Marquette Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wis. Official attendance was 17,037 making it the largest indoor regular-season crowd for a volleyball match in NCAA history and the largest crowd to see a women s sporting event in Wisconsin history.
© Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
Carter Booth: The Rising Defensive Wall of Wisconsin
Sophomore Carter Booth's performance has not gone unnoticed. She was named the Big Ten Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week, a first in her college career. Booth showcased her defensive strength by accumulating 13 total blocks and tallying 14.5 points, with an average of 2.42 points per set. Her stand-out moments included four blocks in the third set against Ohio State, contributing to back-to-back sweeps over Ohio State and Michigan.
What Lies Ahead for the 13-0 Badgers
The Badgers will face Iowa on Wednesday, October 4, at 7 p.m., followed by a match-up with Illinois on Saturday, October 7, at 6 p.m. Both games could be potential tests for a team that, despite its superb record, is still seen by its own head coach to have room for growth.
Watch the entire press conference below:
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