Wisconsin’s volleyball team enjoyed four years of excellent setting at the hands of all-American Jackie Simpson. While Simpson’s reign has come to an end, it is possible the Badgers might enjoy four more years of similar results from the fingertips of freshmen Janelle Gabrielsen.

A heralded recruit, Gabrielsen comes to UW with high expectations due to her numerous high school achievements. The 2007 Player of the Year in Wisconsin has yet to disappoint.

“She is a really well-rounded player,” head coach Pete Waite said. “She has good skills and understands a lot of aspects of the game. We have been happy with her progress this year.”

Before she could start impressing with her play, however, Gabrielsen needed to get back on the court. After injuring her knee senior year of high school and undergoing surgery in January, starting right away was anything but a certainty.

“I wasn’t sure about playing time because of my surgery in January,” Gabrielsen said. “I thought that might keep me behind a little bit, but I have been working really hard, and it is nice to play right now. I think I just need to keep working hard, and I’ll continue to play.”

Gabrielsen — who shares time with sophomore setter Nikki Klingsporn — has become the second freshman to start at setter under head coach Pete Waite. The only other freshman who started her freshman year was Jackie Simpson.

“We have started a freshman at setter once before,” Waite said. “Jackie Simpson came in and set in 2004 right away, so it has happened before.”

“But really Nellie [Janelle] has a more rounded game overall; she plays great defense, and that is a big thing for setters. Every match out on the court is helping her, and she is getting better for us.”

Gabrielsen, however, brings more to the team than just her setting. The jack-of-all trades freshman is fifth on the team in blocks, third on the team in aces and second on the team in digs, not to mention her setting responsibilities.

“Basically, during club and high school I played every position,” Gabrielsen said. “I think I have gotten a lot of practice. I played back row, I played middle, I have set, so I am used to playing all these positions. I think it has helped me a lot.”

In fact, the only area Gabrielsen has struggled in — hitting the ball — is probably the most surprising.

“I would say my hitting has been the area I need to improve most,” Gabrielsen said. “That was, like, what I was known for in high school. I hit middle a lot before, but now I am hitting right side, and it takes some getting used to. I need to get used to getting the ball off the net and starting my approach so I don’t get too tight.”

While Gabrielsen may speak modestly of her accomplishments, the team could not be happier with her play.

“Nellie has been great,” senior captain Audra Jeffers said. “She is a really good teammate, and we trust her on the court. She has a lot of positive energy, so as a hitter you feel really comfortable with her. She is also really athletic, which is comparable to how Jackie was two years ago, and has made some amazing plays out there.”

Along with her outstanding physical skills, Gabrielsen is a student of the game and a leader on the court.

“It is important to note her volleyball IQ,” Waite said. “Her knowledge of sports and anticipation skills are extremely valuable. She is great athletically and very competitive. You put all those things together, and as a freshmen she is doing great things for us.”

“I actually am surprised at how vocal she is,” Jeffers added. “For being a freshman it is impressive. That is something our coaches have always stressed for that position — you need to be vocal — and I think she is doing a good job with that.”

Just as the team has been impressed with Gabrielsen, the freshman praises her teammates for all of the help they have provided.

“Everybody tries to help everybody here,” Gabrielsen said. “Kim [Kuzma] always pushes me to get the ball up, Nikki [Klingsporn] helps me with my setting, and Kat [Katherine Dykstra] and Audra [Jeffers] particularly help me with my blocking and hitting. All of the upperclassmen go out of their way to help the freshmen here.”