Wisconsin volleyball superstar earns second straight Big Ten Player of the Year award

Wisconsin volleyball superstar earns second straight Big Ten Player of the Year award

Wisconsin Badgers superstar outside hitter Sarah Franklin earned a second consecutive Big Ten Player of the Year award on Wednesday.

Franklin, arguably the best college volleyball player in the United States, boasts one of the greatest collegiate resumes of all time. In her tenure with Wisconsin, she has been named the 2023 AVCA National Player of the Year, a 2023 AVCA First-Team All-American member and and was nominated for the ‘Best Female Collegiate Athlete’ ESPY in 2023.

In 29 matches as a starter this season, Franklin posted 470 kills, 39 assists and 28 service aces. Franklin also leads Wisconsin with 4.48 kills per set, recorded a program-best 33 kills against Marquette earlier this season and noticed double-digit kills in 27 matches in 2024.

Franklin has been the No. 1 option for Wisconsin during its 23-6 output this year. Wisconsin will compete as one of four No. 2-seeded teams in the 2024 NCAA Volleyball Tournament with a match against Fairfield slated for Dec. 5.

A season ago, Franklin was a member of Wisconsin’s 2023 team that finished the season 30-6. That crew made it to the semifinal round of the 2023 Tournament and lost to No. 1 Texas.

Wisconsin will look to capture its second title in program history this season. To do so, it will need to overcome No. 1 Nebraska in the fourth round to clinch a berth to the Final Four.