GREG ANDERSON
W
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VARSITY November 14, 2013
hen Annemarie Hickey arrived at the
University of Wisconsin, her goal was to
lead the Badgers to the NCAA tourna-
ment.
Now, after a four-year career that puts her among
the best defensive players to ever put on the Cardinal and White, Hickey is on the cusp of realizing that
dream.
As the UW volleyball team's lone senior, Hickey
was put in a unique leadership position. She embraced the opportunity and her efforts paved the
way for the volleyball program's remarkable turnaround.
The Badgers currently sit in a tie for fourth place
in the Big Ten Conference ― on pace for their best
league finish since 2007 ― and appear to be a lock
for their first NCAA appearance in six years.
"This season has meant a lot to me," Hickey said.
"I couldn't have asked for a better senior season.
Having the opportunity to play in the tournament
shows that our hard work is paying off. It's making
us believe that we are capable of great things and
we are capable of making it far and succeeding in
the NCAA tournament.
"I'm really proud of what we've done."
Hickey was a unanimous pick for team captain
and worked with first-year head coach Kelly Sheffield over the summer to hone her leadership skills,
focusing especially on her on-court communication.
She has seen the dividends of those efforts with the
Badgers' success this season.
"I'm very vocal on the court and I tried to get to
know each of my teammates as players better and
how they want to be communicated with," Hickey
said. "That has helped developed our team chemistry."
Hickey was instrumental in easing the transition
for the new coaching staff this season, helping to
set the example for the Badgers' younger players by
embodying what Sheffield wants from his athletes.
"There's so many intangibles that Annemarie
brings," Sheffield said. "Nobody works harder and
that's unbelievable for the young kids to be able to
see that and see what it takes to be successful.
"She's got a good heart, and I think people want
to be around her. They want to go to battle with her."
The Badgers' success this season provides a fitting end to the career of one of the best defensive
players in school history. Hickey, who Sheffield
