Undefeated, top-ranked Wisconsin volleyball fell to Texas in the final four Thursday night in Omaha.
The number four ranked Longhorns were impressive from start to finish, while Wisconsin was a step behind all night. The Badgers took a 20-16 lead in the first set, but Texas rallied to take the set 26-24. The Longhorns dominated set two, winning 25-19. Wisconsin made a final push in set three and took a one point lead, 18-17, but the Longhorns completed the sweep, taking the final set 25-23.
Wisconsin struggled offensively, hitting only .220 on the night. Dana Rettke was held to only six kills all match. In addition, UW’s outside hitters, Grace Loberg and Molly Haggerty, hit only .103 and .000, respectively. Contrarily, Texas hit well and had four players record double-digit kills. Freshman Devyn Robinson led the Badgers with 14 kills.
With the semifinal loss, the Wisconsin volleyball program will have to wait to see a national title come to Madison. Though many thought this would finally be the year for the Badgers, Texas was just too good all night to be beat. “If somebody is going to beat us they’re going to have to be on top of their game. I thought Texas was awfully good tonight,” Coach Kelly Sheffield said after the match.
The road comes to an end in Omaha
Proud of how this team battled through adversity not just this season, but this whole year
Thank you fans for your unending support through it all#OnWisconsin pic.twitter.com/KI5YIPyvoO
— Wisconsin Volleyball (@BadgerVB) April 23, 2021
The Longhorns advance to play Kentucky in the national title game Saturday night. As for the Badgers, there’s time to reflect on a truly unprecedented, yet successful, season. They endured no fall season, COVID pauses and cancellations, and other obstacles throughout the year, but persevered through it all. Though it may not have ended how we hoped, Wisconsin volleyball fans are thankful for the memories this team gave us. Thank you, Badger ladies for a great season! On, Wisconsin.
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