Polzin: Flaws exposed in brutal start to Wisconsin volleyball season JIM POLZIN Sep 1, 2024 Sep 1, 2024 Updated Oct 10, 2024 × Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save MILWAUKEE — Kelly Sheffield forgot what day it was as he sat in the interview room at Fiserv Forum, thinking it was Saturday instead of Sunday.kAmxE’D 366? E92E <:?5 @7 @A6?:?8 H66< 7@C $9677:6=5 2?5 9:D &?:G6CD:EJ @7 (:D4@?D:? G@==6J32== AC@8C2>]k^AmkAm%96 q2586CD =@@<65 =:<6 E96 }@] b E62> :? E96 ?2E:@? 7@C E96 7:CDE EH@ D6ED 2?5 =:<6 2 566C :? 9625=:89ED 7@C E96 7:?2= EH@ D6ED @7 2 b_\ag[ ab\ad[ ad\`d[ ad\`` =@DD E@ }@] ` %6I2D :? E96 @A6?6C @7 E96 r@==686 '@==6J32== $9@H42D6]k^AmkA 4=2DDlQE?4>D\:?=:?6\=:?<Qmk2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^32586C6IEC2]4@>^E?4>D^2DD6E^65:E@C:2=^dafd463c\egfh\``67\2db4\h34dd7eg_7dbQm!@=K:?i (92E x 5:5 2?5 5:5?VE =:<6 7C@> (:D4@?D:? G@==6J32==VD =@DD E@ }@] ` %6I2Dk^2mk^Am People are also reading… Two retired Walworth County sheriff's officers hired to Lake Geneva Police Department Lake Geneva school district set to implement updated facilities and grade configuration plan 3 notes on Purdue since last Wisconsin men's basketball matchup Two new staff members join the city of Lake Geneva Look Ahead: Maple Fest plus plenty of live music, comedy & more this weekend in Lake Geneva Wisconsin men's basketball 7-footer 'doing more every day' following apparent ankle injury Lake Geneva City Council looks to dissolve finance committee 3 things that stood out in Wisconsin's WCHA championship loss to Ohio State New Visit Lake Geneva partner has the right look and feel for special events ‘Cult’ church member who allegedly molested boy in pews faces new criminal charges Bottom line on Trump Geneva Lake Arts Foundation's Spring Art Show now through April 12 Wisconsin volleyball bolsters front court with Chicago standout Lake Geneva City Council appoints hotel owner to Tourism Commission Wisconsin men's hockey's largest home playoff loss in 45 years started poorly, got worse kAmxE H2D[ 2D $9677:6=5 AFE :E[ “2 DE@CJ @7 EH@ 5:776C6?E >2E496D[” (:D4@?D:? 8@:?8 E@6 E@ E@6 H:E9 E96 EH@\E:>6 5676?5:?8 }rpp 492>A:@?D 7@C E96 7:CDE 92=7 @7 :E 2?5 86EE:?8 DE62>C@==65 3J E96 {@?89@C?D W`\_X 7C@> E92E A@:?E 7@CH2C5]k^Am kAm$@F?5 72>:=:2Cn %96 k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^32586C6IEC2]4@>^DA@CED^G@==6J32==^H:D4@?D:?\G@==6J32==\E6I2D\D4@C6\2?2=JD:D\?422\D6>:7:?2=^2CE:4=60`5`bhfge\h244\``66\3ea6\77b5dbbag_de]9E>=Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<QmD2>6 D4C:AE A=2J65 @FE =2DE s646>36C :? 2 ?2E:@?2= D6>:7:?2=k^2m `[a__\A=FD >:=6D 2H2J :? %2>A2[ u=2][ H96C6 %6I2D C@==65 E@ 2 ad\aa[ a_\ad[ ad\`b[ ad\`e H:? @G6C E96 q2586CD]k^Am kAm%92E =@DD 6?565 (:D4@?D:?’D D62D@?] %96 8@@5 ?6HD 23@FE E9:D @?6 :D E92E E96 q2586CD 92G6 ?62C=J 2 7F== D62D@? 29625 @7 E96>] q6EE6C E@ 92G6 H62<?6DD6D 6IA@D65 :? 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E@ E96 H@=G6D H9:=6 DE:== =62C?:?8 E@ A=2J H:E9 96C E62>>2E6D]k^Am Wisconsin's Charlie Fuerbringer sets to a teammate during the first set of Sunday's match against Texas at Fiserv Forum. MARK MCMULLEN, LEE SPORTS WISCONSIN kAm|@C6 6IA6C:6?465 D6EE6CD E92? uF6C3C:?86C 92G6 DECF88=65 — 2?5 H:== DECF88=6 — H:E9 564:D:@?\>2<:?8 2?5 32== A=246>6?E H9:=6 ECJ:?8 E@ AFE E96:C E62>>2E6D :? E96 36DE A@D:E:@? E@ 2EE24< E9:D 6I46==6?E %6I2D 5676?D6] %9:D 6IA6C:6?46 H:== 36?67:E uF6C3C:?86C :? E96 =@?8 CF?[ 2?5 E96 q2586CD’ 46:=:?8 E9:D D62D@? H:== 56A6?5 @? 9@H H6== W2?5 BF:4<=JX D96 42? 252AE E@ E96 4@==686 82>6]k^Am kAm(96E96C E9:D :D 2 uF6C3C:?86C AC@3=6>[ 2 C67=64E:@? @7 9@H D@>6 @7 96C >@C6 6IA6C:6?465 E62>>2E6D 5:5?’E C6DA@?5 E@ E96 DA@E=:89E @C 2 =:EE=6 @7 3@E9[ E96 q2586CD H6C6 E@@ @?6\5:>6?D:@?2= 282:?DE %6I2D]k^Am kAm#6:8?:?8 ?2E:@?2= A=2J6C @7 E96 J62C $2C29 uC2?<=:? 925 eh E@E2= 2EE6>AED @? $F?52J] %96 ?6IE 4=@D6DE (:D4@?D:? 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D=2E6[ <?@H:?8 E96 AC@D 2?5 4@?D @7 E92E D4965F=6] |2E496D =:<6 E9:D @?6[ 2?5 E96 @?6 |@?52J[ 2?5 E96 @?6 2E {@F:DG:==6 @? %F6D52J[ 2C6 8C62E H2JD E@ AC@>@E6 2 8C@H:?8 DA@CE 2?5 AC@G:56 :>A@CE2?E 52E2 E@ E96 4@2496D DE:== ECJ:?8 E@ 7:8FC6 @FE E96:C E62>D]k^Am kA 4=2DDlQE?4>D\:?=:?6\=:?<Qmk2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^32586C6IEC2]4@>^E?4>D^2DD6E^65:E@C:2=^`h2g7daa\d35c\``67\g_ad\67`f_a4_bhf7Qm!@=K:?i w@H V5:D2AA@:?E:?8 7:?:D96DV EFC?65 :?E@ V6?6C8:K:?8 DA:C:EV 7@C (:D4@?D:? G@==6J32==k^2mk^AmkAm%92E’D E96 3:8\A:4EFC6 G:6H] +@@> :? 4=@D6C 2?5 J@F’== D66 2 E62> DE2C:?8 :? E96 >:CC@C[ ECJ:?8 E@ 7:8FC6 @FE 9@H :E 42? 2G@:5 2 _\b DE2CE E@ 2 D62D@? E92E 3682? H:E9 >2DD:G6 6IA64E2E:@?D]k^Am Wisconsin's Gulce Guctekin reacts after the ball hits the ground for a Texas point during Sunday's match at Fiserv Forum. MARK MCMULLEN, LEE SPORTS WISCONSIN Scene from Volleyball Showcase between Wisconsin and Texas at Fiserv Forum Contact Jim Polzin at jpolzin@madison.com. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Related to this story Wisconsin volleyball pregame video and introductions Polzin: What I did and didn't like from Wisconsin volleyball's loss to No. 1 Texas One Badgers hitter etched her name in the record books in a rematch of last season's national semifinal. Columnist Jim Polzin offers his thoughts. Polzin: How 'disappointing finishes' turned into 'energizing spirit' for Wisconsin volleyball The numbers back up Wisconsin volleyball's dominance over the past five seasons. But disappointing finishes have left a bad taste in Kelly She… What to know about No. 3 Wisconsin volleyball's top-10 battles at Fiserv Forum After a “sloppy” season-opening road loss, the Badgers will step on the big stage against Texas and Stanford in Milwaukee. 3 things that stood out as No. 3 Wisconsin volleyball hits mark not seen since 2015 Kelly Sheffield said, "hope is not a strategy," after a number of miscues against No. 6 Louisville. Here's what we learned. Wisconsin volleyball captains devoting energy to what's 'best for the team' A couple of first-time captains took constructive feedback from their teammates and worked hard to be better for them. Alcohol sales at Field House for Wisconsin volleyball draws divided opinions Fans had three options for alcoholic beverages when they went on sale at the Field House on Tuesday. How 'West Coast swag' helps Big Ten become premier volleyball conference For all the jokes about teams going from the West Coast to Rutgers, players and coaches don't seem to be worried about it. Wisconsin volleyball has 'sense of urgency' for meshing newcomers with experience The Badgers' front row is among the best in the country, but there are holes to fill from last year's Final Four team. 3 things that stood out as No. 1 Texas sets standard for No. 3 Wisconsin volleyball The Badgers were effective for half a match against a program it strives to be. "In our mind and mentally we’ve just got to get tougher." Winless start sees Wisconsin volleyball fall in rankings The Badgers have their work cut out after dropping their season opener at Louisville and losing to top-ranked Texas on Sunday. Scene of Wisconsin volleyball's match against No. 5 Stanford The Badgers were searching for their first win in their third attempt, and it was once again against a top team. Here's the scene from Fiserv Forum. Freshman plays hero in 'gut check' Wisconsin volleyball win at No. 23 Baylor Kelly Sheffield made the move to give a libero her first collegiate start, and it paid off. He said she was "flying around" and called her a "… 3 things that stood out from Wisconsin volleyball's 'dominanted by joy' win in home opener It's been a slog for the Badgers to start the season. Tuesday's match showed improvements, and a new experience for fan entertainment. Kohl Center match part of ‘epic things’ Wisconsin volleyball loves away from home The Kohl Center Classic returns with an opportunity to grow the sport. Which begs the question, will it be the permanent home of Badgers volleyball? Polzin: What I did and didn't like from Wisconsin volleyball's win vs. Marquette While the Kohl Center wasn't sold out, the crowd was loud and there was plenty to like about the No. 7 Badgers' performance Tuesday. 3 things that stood out from Wisconsin volleyball's rally past Marquette at Kohl Center The Badgers dropped the first set but stormed back to take down their in-state rival. This 'spunky' Wisconsin volleyball freshman draws comparisons to all-time Badgers greats Wisconsin coach Kelly Sheffield saw enough after four matches to make this freshman a regular on the floor. 'Unicorn' overcomes benching, injury as she rises in Wisconsin volleyball's 'big moments' It hasn't been the smoothest start to Anna Smrek's senior season but she's been dominant when the Badgers have needed her most. How teams try to challenge Wisconsin volleyball, one of the Big Ten's best passing teams The Badgers' passing is challenged routinely from a star hitter to a freshman. Here's how teams are targeting Wisconsin.
Polzin: What I did and didn't like from Wisconsin volleyball's loss to No. 1 Texas One Badgers hitter etched her name in the record books in a rematch of last season's national semifinal. Columnist Jim Polzin offers his thoughts.
Polzin: How 'disappointing finishes' turned into 'energizing spirit' for Wisconsin volleyball The numbers back up Wisconsin volleyball's dominance over the past five seasons. But disappointing finishes have left a bad taste in Kelly She…
What to know about No. 3 Wisconsin volleyball's top-10 battles at Fiserv Forum After a “sloppy” season-opening road loss, the Badgers will step on the big stage against Texas and Stanford in Milwaukee.
3 things that stood out as No. 3 Wisconsin volleyball hits mark not seen since 2015 Kelly Sheffield said, "hope is not a strategy," after a number of miscues against No. 6 Louisville. Here's what we learned.
Wisconsin volleyball captains devoting energy to what's 'best for the team' A couple of first-time captains took constructive feedback from their teammates and worked hard to be better for them.
Alcohol sales at Field House for Wisconsin volleyball draws divided opinions Fans had three options for alcoholic beverages when they went on sale at the Field House on Tuesday.
How 'West Coast swag' helps Big Ten become premier volleyball conference For all the jokes about teams going from the West Coast to Rutgers, players and coaches don't seem to be worried about it.
Wisconsin volleyball has 'sense of urgency' for meshing newcomers with experience The Badgers' front row is among the best in the country, but there are holes to fill from last year's Final Four team.
3 things that stood out as No. 1 Texas sets standard for No. 3 Wisconsin volleyball The Badgers were effective for half a match against a program it strives to be. "In our mind and mentally we’ve just got to get tougher."
Winless start sees Wisconsin volleyball fall in rankings The Badgers have their work cut out after dropping their season opener at Louisville and losing to top-ranked Texas on Sunday.
Scene of Wisconsin volleyball's match against No. 5 Stanford The Badgers were searching for their first win in their third attempt, and it was once again against a top team. Here's the scene from Fiserv Forum.
Freshman plays hero in 'gut check' Wisconsin volleyball win at No. 23 Baylor Kelly Sheffield made the move to give a libero her first collegiate start, and it paid off. He said she was "flying around" and called her a "…
3 things that stood out from Wisconsin volleyball's 'dominanted by joy' win in home opener It's been a slog for the Badgers to start the season. Tuesday's match showed improvements, and a new experience for fan entertainment.
Kohl Center match part of ‘epic things’ Wisconsin volleyball loves away from home The Kohl Center Classic returns with an opportunity to grow the sport. Which begs the question, will it be the permanent home of Badgers volleyball?
Polzin: What I did and didn't like from Wisconsin volleyball's win vs. Marquette While the Kohl Center wasn't sold out, the crowd was loud and there was plenty to like about the No. 7 Badgers' performance Tuesday.
3 things that stood out from Wisconsin volleyball's rally past Marquette at Kohl Center The Badgers dropped the first set but stormed back to take down their in-state rival.
This 'spunky' Wisconsin volleyball freshman draws comparisons to all-time Badgers greats Wisconsin coach Kelly Sheffield saw enough after four matches to make this freshman a regular on the floor.
'Unicorn' overcomes benching, injury as she rises in Wisconsin volleyball's 'big moments' It hasn't been the smoothest start to Anna Smrek's senior season but she's been dominant when the Badgers have needed her most.
How teams try to challenge Wisconsin volleyball, one of the Big Ten's best passing teams The Badgers' passing is challenged routinely from a star hitter to a freshman. Here's how teams are targeting Wisconsin.
