The University of Wisconsin Badgers volleyball team is set to continue its road trip to start the season with two matches against with formidable opponent ranked #21 in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association rankings.
The Badgers volleyball team has started hot out of the gates with an impressive 2-0 weekend against then-No.15 Baylor and TCU. They’ll draw another ranked match-up when they travel to visit the Arkansas Razorbacks for back-to-back games on Wednesday and Thursday. The matches are scheduled for 7 p.m. on both days. This match-up comes after the Wisconsin Badgers take the No. 1 spot in the AVCA rankings from Texas.
Weekend work ✅ pic.twitter.com/IMU3oK8CS1
— Wisconsin Volleyball (@BadgerVB) August 27, 2023
The Badgers showed a true team effort during the 2023 Big Ten/Big 12 Challenge. Senior Devyn Robinson and sophomore Carter Booth were both named to the Big Ten/Big 12 All-Tournament team after their efforts this past weekend. Booth was a middle-blocker transfer from Minnesota and she contributed 10 blocks to lead the team, along with 8 kills. Robinson contributed 23 kills and 5 blocks while playing 7 sets. They’ll need to replicate that, as the Razorbacks have met the Badgers with a 2-0 record this season, having swept Michigan State and Tulsa this past weekend.
Wisconsin Badgers Volleyball at Arkansas Razorbacks
The last time these two teams met, the Wisconsin Badgers volleyball team secured a three-set sweep against Arkansas on September 1, 2017, during the K-State Invitational in Manhattan, Kansas. Both teams are obviously completely different rosters at this point, but it’s still a unique challenge for the Badgers.
The Razorbacks boast a seasoned lineup for this season, featuring the return of their top three kill leaders from the previous year in Taylor Head, Jillian Gillen, and Maggie Cartwright. Hannah Hogue is also returning to the Razorbacks this season, and in the first two matches, was used as the primary setter, contributing 69 assists. Head and Gillen have contributed 26 and 29 kills, respectively, for the Hogs to open the season.
Badgers to Watch
Izzy Ashburn currently ranks 2nd in the all-time Badgers volleyball service ace list. She’s only 5 behind current leader Margie Kaminski (1984-87) for the all-time service ace leader in Badgers volleyball history. She picked up 3 aces this past weekend, leading the Badgers and bringing her total to 161 in her career.