Kelly Sheffield was clearly not pleased with one position group after Kentucky loss

The first match of Wisconsin's season did not go according to plan. No. 3 Kentucky was able to beat the Badgers in three sets to none. Wisconsin was competitive and even had their chances to take a set here or there, but could never quite pull it off. While Kentucky was the favorite going into the game and is one of the favorites to win the National Championship, Wisconsin was hoping for more of a battle, with even an upset bid.

Yet, Wisconsin's youth and inexperience playing together ended up being a huge difference in the game. There were simply too many errors and young player moments against a team that exploited every wrinkle and gap. For head coach Kelly Sheffield, it was one position group that he felt cost them the most: the block.

A clearly frustrated Sheffield joined the post-game press conference and said, "We were really relying on our backcourt. I thought our block was pretty much nonexistent." He went on to say that the team has to get better and has to develop a "blocking attitude."

Kelly Sheffield is hoping to see some growth and quick from his group

The box score only confirms what Sheffield is saying: that the Badgers were forced to rely on their backcourt. The Badgers only had five blocks the entire three sets, compared to Kentucky's 10. Those five blocks came from only three players: Eva Travis with three, Jaela Auguste with two, and Charlie Fuerbringer with one.

If you are keeping score at home, those are the Badgers' three most experienced players. The veterans on the court. Wisconsin and Kelly Sheffield are desperate to fix this, and they will need to fix it fast. There's no room for error in the schedule for Wisconsin. The next game is tomorrow (Saturday), and it's against No. 7 Louisville.

While Louisville plays a much different style than Kentucky, the block will still be an important part of the equation, and if Wisconsin can't find it, it could be another frustrating match for the Badgers.

Related: Kelly Sheffield's latest quote is something football coaches should definitely hear

While Sheffield said this with Jaela Auguste, the star middle blocker sitting two chairs away, he was speaking to the entire team. Everyone in the front row needs to be willing to block and have a "blocking attitude."

And getting blocks and having a good blocking attack are two different things. The stats may not always reveal a good blocking unit. Often a block will deter, redirect, and force the hand of the opponent. If the back row is doing most of the work, it sets up the opponent to keep their offense in rhythm. Blocks throw the other team out of sync, and that's what Wisconsin needs and what Sheffield wants to see more of, starting immediately.

We knew the season would start with some growth curves; the team is just too young to have it all figured out by game one. It's also important to note that Kentucky is full of veterans who have spent a lot of time together and is already ready to be 'a wagon.' Wisconsin will need to grow into it.

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