The No. 2 ranked Wisconsin volleyball team is showing no signs of slowing down as they kicked off their 2023 season with a strong performance at the Big Ten/Big 12 Challenge. Over the weekend, the Badgers secured victories over TCU and Baylor, showcasing their prowess on the court and setting a promising tone for the season ahead.
Bring out the brooms, baby! 🧹🧹🧹 Finished out the weekend with a sweep pic.twitter.com/Y1rcETlOmH
— Wisconsin Volleyball (@BadgerVB) August 26, 2023
Wisconsin Badgers Volleyball Game against TCU
In their latest matchup, the Wisconsin Badgers faced TCU and delivered an impressive sweep, taking all three sets with scores of 25-16, 25-19, and 25-21. Devyn Robinson led the charge with an impressive 15 kills, spearheading the potent Wisconsin Badgers offense. Sarah Franklin wasn’t far behind, contributing 11 kills to the team’s success. Julia Orzol returned as an outside hitter for this match and made her presence felt with eight kills, while Anna Smrek added six kills to the tally.
Orzoł showcased her versatility once again, leading the team with 11 digs, closely followed by Gulce Guctekin, who made an impact as libero with 10 digs. The coordination on the court was exemplified by Izzy Ashburn, who tallied 21 assists, and MJ Hammill, who added 16 helpers.
The Badgers’ dominance was evident in their hitting percentage, boasting a .344 success rate with 46 kills out of 96 attempts. On the defensive end, they limited TCU to a mere .120 hitting percentage, displaying their well-rounded skill set. Notably, the Badgers prevented any TCU player from reaching double figures in kills, with Melanie Parra leading the Horned Frogs with eight kills.
In the first set, back-to-back aces from Ashburn set the tone, propelling the team to a 25-16 victory. Set two saw an 8-0 run early on, solidifying a 25-19 win. The third set proved the closest battle, but the Badgers held their ground, maintaining control and emerging triumphant with a 25-21 victory.
Coach Sheffield Praises the Players
Coach Kelly Sheffield lauded Devyn Robinson’s patience and execution: “I thought she was really patient and when it wasn’t there…she wasn’t trying to just hit low and pound through. She was putting those balls into good areas. I think every time she had an error she came back and had a kill right away.”
Looking ahead to a busy week, Sheffield emphasized taking each match one at a time, reflecting the team’s focused approach.
The Badgers’ solid start at the Big Ten/Big 12 Challenge showcases their readiness for the season ahead. With key players like Robinson, Franklin, and Orzoł stepping up, and a dynamic roster of talent, Wisconsin volleyball is setting its sights on continued success. As the team heads into more exciting matchups and prepares to welcome Tennessee for their home opener, fans can expect a thrilling Badgers volleyball season.