Varsity - The Official Digital Magazine of Wisconsin Athletics

Varsity - August 29, 2013

Varsity is the free Official Digital Magazine of Wisconsin Athletics, covering Badgers football, basketball, hockey and more each week.

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INSIDE VOLLEYBALL BY DIANE NORDSTROM @BADGERVBALL SCHEDULE (ALL TIMES CT) Aug. 30 at Pepperdine Classic vs. Iona 7 p.m. Aug. 31 at Pepperdine Classic vs. Delaware 2:30 p.m. vs. Pepperdine 9:30 p.m. Sept. 6 Sept. 7 Courtney Thomas sets up Ellen Chapman for a kill at the Cardinal vs. White scrimmage. Badgers open season on the road in California Wisconsin faces tough opening stretch or first-year head coach Kelly Sheffield, this weekend's season opening tournament at Pepperdine may leave more questions than answers. With five members of his squad out with injuries, Sheffield has had to switch up his lineup in practice. "We've got people that bounce around from position to position," said Sheffield of F 54 // VARSITY August 29, 2013 his players. "But the thing that I'm really, really happy with these guys ... is how do we handle adversity? Do you run away from that challenge or do you embrace it and accept it? I think we've done a really good job of embracing it." The Badgers kick off the season in a big way, facing Iona, Delaware and Pepperdine in the round-robin tournament. at NDSU Classic vs. Northern Iowa 4:30 p.m. at NDSU Classic vs. NDSU 12:30 p.m. vs. Louisville 4:30 p.m. The toughest competition will be the host Waves, who were a 20-win NCAA team last season. Pepperdine is one of six 2013 non-conference opponents who are ranked or receive votes in the preseason coaches' poll. "You're always excited for the start," said Sheffield. "Every year you're optimistic, you're fired up, you think about the possibilities." INJURIES HIT TEAM ● The injury bug has hit the Badgers, with the biggest loss being that of Julie Mikaelsen. The senior tri-captain suffered a broken foot during practice last Friday and has decided to take a medical redshirt for the 2013 season. Mikaelsen, a 6-3 right-side hitter from Askim, Norway, played in all 33 matches as a junior, starting 22. She ranked third on the team with 2.63 kills per set, tying a career high with 19 kills against Illinois. She also set career bests for digs (15) and blocks (8) last season. Four other Badgers have also missed training time this fall as Tori Blake (head), Lauren Carlini (leg) Crystal Graff (ankle) and Victoria Ito (ankle) have missed practice time.

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