Sarah Franklin and the Wisconsin volleyball team came through with another sweep, extending their set win streak to 30 and defeating the Buckeyes 25-22, 25-15, 25-18. Ohio State didn’t go down as easily as other opponents this season, but the No. 1 ranked Wisconsin Badgers continued their undefeated streak anyway.
Been there, swept that 🧹 pic.twitter.com/3LqoF3X8gY
— Wisconsin Volleyball (@BadgerVB) October 19, 2023
A Comeback and Never Looking Back
The Buckeyes jumped to a 6-1 lead in the first set, making it necessary for the Comeback Kids to show up again. Wisconsin volleyball would tie it at 7-7, with Sarah Franklin picking up three of her 16 kills in the run, and the Badgers wouldn’t look back.
The Badgers took the second set in dominant fashion after the Buckeyes hung with them for the first part of the set. The story was the same in the third set, but eventually, they succumbed to the Badgers.
Wisconsin Volleyball by the Numbers
The Badgers continue to make program history, this time with aces. The team put up 11 aces in the match, which is third in team history and their second time doing so this season. Julia Orzol and ace-queen Izzy Ashburn both had four aces, a career-high for Orzol and a season-high for Ashburn.
5 serves ➡️ 3 aces
Light work for @izzyashburn2 🥶 pic.twitter.com/G1HLRzwWX2— Wisconsin Volleyball (@BadgerVB) October 19, 2023
Sarah Franklin led the way for Wisconsin volleyball with 16 kills, part of a 46-kill attack coming from the Badgers. She also recorded a .278 hitting percentage with one ace and added six digs on defense. The senior may be looking to follow up her Big Ten Player of the Week honors with another strong week,
The Wisconsin Badgers once again out-blocked their opponent with 6 blocks to Ohio State’s 4. Anna Smrek and Carter Booth both had four block assists on the evening. Booth continues to shine as she leads the Big Ten in hitting percentage and blocks per set.
6’9 and 6’7 … lethal combination 😵💫
Set 2
UW 24
OSU 14 pic.twitter.com/OZNiZyItNN— Wisconsin Volleyball (@BadgerVB) October 19, 2023
Up next for the Badgers is their biggest test of the season, with two undefeated streaks on the line as they head to Lincoln to face No. 2 Nebraska in a battle of Titans.
