Wisconsin star setter sidelined in sweats as Sheffield stays quiet on injury concern

The Wisconsin Badgers were able to handle the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 3-1 in an exhibition round ahead of the Opening Spike Classic to kick off the volleyball season. There were a lot of good things to like about this one for the Badgers. The young players looked good, Grace Egan continues to shine, and Carter Booth is going to be a Big Ten star. However, a potential Player of the Year, Charlie Fuerbringer, didn't play and was seen on the sidelines in sweats.

Head Coach Kelly Sheffield continues to stay relatively quiet about his star player's injury, but beat reporter Dennis Punzel has said it's a "minor knee issue."

Charlie Fuerbringer is managing a knee injury, but indications are she will appear in the Opening Spike Classic

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Fuerbringer didn't even suit up as there was no way she was going to be playing in the game. However, she didn't look to be too hobbled, and that may be the injury is in fact minor. Sheffield may just be allowing more time for her to rest it in a game that didn't matter.

After the exhibition, Sheffield was jovial about her sidelined status, with a wink, he said, "She was in sweats today, stayed on the sideline for the match, and didn’t get in at all."

This did give the freshman setter an opportunity to show the depth of the Badgers behind Fuerbringer. Addy Horner started all four sets for the Badgers against Notre Dame and was responsible for 44 assists. The team total was 50, which means she filled Fuerbringer's shoes admirably. Those are All-American shoes to fill, but Horner is no stranger to the spotlight; she's an All-American high school player in her own right.

The No. 8 Badgers are ready to make another run in the Big Ten and the NCAA Tournament at the season's end.