Tag: Badger volleyball

Wisconsin Badgers volleyball rises in latest AVCA rankings

Wisconsin Badgers volleyball rockets up in latest AVCA rankings

This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccurate headline.

Wisconsin’s volleyball team jumped to No. 6 in the latest release of the AVCA rankings.

The Badgers are back near the top after overcoming a disappointing 0-3 start.

Pittsburgh earned the No. 1 spot in the latest ranking. It is followed by 2023 runner-up Nebraska, 2022 runner-up Louisville, No. 4 Penn State and 2022 and 2023 national champion Texas in the top five. The Badgers landed just above 2018 and 2019 national champion Stanford and No. 8 Purdue.

The Badgers were ranked third in the 2024 Preseason American Volleyball Coaches Association in late August. The team is 18-5 with losses to preseason No. 1 Texas, No. 2 Nebraska, No. 5 Stanford, No. 6 Louisville and No. 18 Minnesota.

One week earlier, the Badgers were No. 7. Their rise to No. 6 comes after Kelly Sheffield’s team swept both Iowa and No. 3 Penn State in back-to-back matches at the UW Field House.

Against the Nittany Lions, Wisconsin dominated with 25-23, 25-12 and 25-13 finishes in the 3-0 win.

The Badgers registered a .465 hitting percentage with 50 kills on 101 attempts. Superstar Sarah Franklin and middle blocker/right side hitter Anna Smrek accounted for 13 kills apiece.

UW looks to build off its recent win against No. 20 USC on Nov. 14.

Badger legend becomes winningest coach in Wisconsin volleyball history

Badger legend becomes winningest coach in Wisconsin volleyball history

Wisconsin legend Kelly Sheffield became the winningest coach in Badgers volleyball history on Thursday.

With the 3-0 victory over the Indiana Hoosiers in Bloomington, Indiana, Sheffield secured win No. 306 with the program. He surpassed Pete Waite, who served as UW’s coach from 1999-2012.

Superstar outside hitter Sarah Franklin finished with 15 kills and four blocks in the victory, while senior Anna Smrek collected 10 kills and seven blocks and senior Caroline Crawford notched her 600th career block. The Badgers wound up sweeping the Hoosiers 25-23, 25-18, 25-13.

In 11 years under Sheffield’s tutelage, Wisconsin’s volleyball program has experienced unrivaled success on the court. The Muncie, Indiana, native has captained the Badgers to the 2021 NCAA Championship, five NCAA Final Fours and 11 consecutive NCAA Sweet 16-or-better tournament finishes.

Wisconsin has claimed five Big Ten titles, 42 All-America honors and produced superstars including Sarah Franklin and Dana Rettke, two former AVCA National Players of the Year.

The Badgers’ model for success certainly extends into this year. After starting the season 0-3, Wisconsin has rattled off eight wins in a row and a 14-1 mark since Sept. 2. Wisconsin currently holds the No. 8 spot in the AVCA Rankings and will look to improve its national status with a win against No. 10 Purdue on Saturday night.

Wisconsin volleyball dominates in-state foe, secures third straight win

Wisconsin volleyball dominates in-state foe, secures third straight win

The Wisconsin Badgers volleyball team picked up its third straight victory against in-state rival UW-Milwaukee on Tuesday.

Fueled by a balanced offensive attack, the Badgers dominated the Panthers in three consecutive sets, 25-13, 25-13, 25-14, to win their first game of the season at the storied UW Field House. The win catapults Kelly Sheffield’s squad to 3-3 to start the 2024 campaign.

Senior outside hitter Julia Orzol led the way with 14 kills, four blocks and two aces. Fifth-year middle blocker Devyn Robinson followed with 13 kills and four blocks while veteran C.C. Crawford tallied seven kills and blocks.

Freshman Charlie Fuerbringer also registered a team-best 35 assists and 10 digs to secure a double-double in front of a raucous home crowd.

While the competition is nowhere near what UW will encounter in the NCAA Tournament this spring, the Badgers did look like the dominant team fans grew accustomed to witnessing during its 30-4 campaign in 2023.

After losing its first three contests against No. 4 Louisville, No. 6 Texas and No. 2 Stanford, Wisconsin trounced TCU, No. 23 Baylor prior to defeating UW-Milwaukee in Madison. The platoon recently earned the No. 8 spot in the AVCA Rankings and will look to scale the hierarchy with a match against another in-state rival, Marquette, awaiting on Sept. 17 at the Kohl Center.

Wisconsin volleyball dips once more in AVCA Ranking after back-to-back wins

Wisconsin volleyball dips once more in AVCA Ranking after back-to-back wins

Despite winning back-to-back contests, Wisconsin volleyball slid to No. 8 on the latest edition of the AVCA Rankings.

Wisconsin, who entered the 2024 slate with the No. 3 in the 2024 Preseason American Volleyball Coaches Association hierarchy, most recently dipped to No. 6 in the national polls after dropping its first three bouts to No. 4 Louisville, No. 6 Texas and No. 2 Stanford.

UW has bounced back during the past week, however, with victories over Texas Christian University and Baylor during the Big Ten/Big 12 Challenge.

Wisconsin now owns a 2-3 record to begin the season. The Kelly Sheffield-led team compiled a remarkable 30-4 overall record in 2023, which likely prompted voters to keep this year’s squad inside the top 10.

The 3-0 Pittsburgh Panthers now own the top spot in this week’s rankings, followed by Stanford, Penn State, Louisville and Nebraska respectively

Wisconsin superstar Sarah Franklin still holds the lead for kills among all Badgers with 100, followed by co-captain Devyn Robinson with 61. Freshman Charlie Fuerbringer has totaled 218 assists through five games, 209 more than any other Badger.

UW’s most notable matches are slated against #24 Marquette on Sept. 17, #18 Minnesota on Sept. 25, #12 Oregon on Oct. 18 and #8 Purdue on Oct. 26. Any wins outside the top-25 will likely keep Wisconsin within the same tier of the AVCA’s pecking order come next week.

Wisconsin Volleyball slides in AVCA Ranking after poor start to season

Wisconsin Volleyball slides in AVCA Ranking after poor start to season

Following its 0-3 start to the 2024 season, Wisconsin’s volleyball team slid down to No. 6 on the latest installation of the AVCA rankings.

Wisconsin, who finished its 2023 campaign with a 30-4 overall mark, entered this season ranked No. 3 spot in the 2024 Preseason American Volleyball Coaches Association in late August.

Losses to No. 6 Louisville, No. 1 Texas and No. 5 Stanford, have prompted voters to alter UW’s position in the national hierarchy.

2022 and 2023 national champion Texas earned the No. 1 spot, followed by No. 2 Nebraska, No. 3 Pittsburgh, No. 4 Louisville and No. 5 Stanford. The Badgers landed just above No. 7 Penn State and No. 8 Purdue, a pair of Big Ten rivals unaccustomed to being in UW’s volleyball stratosphere.

Wisconsin’s most recent defeat arrived at Fiserv Forum against the Cardinal on Sept. 2. After dropping its first set 26-24, the Badgers rallied back to take the second 25-18. Stanford ultimately prevailed, however, with a 25-22 triumph in the third and final set.

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The start to the season serves as a wake up call for a team that suffered its first loss of the 2023 season on Oct. 21 against the Cornhuskers. The Badgers had rattled off 18 consecutive victories to begin their season, so this is uncharted territory for a Kelly Sheffield-led club.

Superstar Sarah Franklin currently leads all Badgers with 63.5 points and 60 kills in 12 sets played. UW will look to return to the win column against Texas Christian University in Waco, Texas on Sept. 6.

Wisconsin volleyball earns exhibition match victory in first action of 2024 season

Wisconsin volleyball earns exhibition match victory in first action of 2024 season

The Wisconsin Badgers’ volleyball program previewed its 2024 season with a strong showing on Tuesday.

With six newcomers in its lineup, Wisconsin swept Bradley 25-17, 25-22, 25-14 in an exhibition match before a packed crowd at UW’s Field House.

As members of its starting lineup, freshmen Charlie Fuerbringer (setter) and Trinity Shadd-Ceres helped UW generate an 11-4 scoring surge to close out Bradley in its first set.

Bradley captured a lead early in the second set, but momentous plays from CC Crawford and Devyn Robinson pushed UW ahead 25-22 late. The Badgers would cruise to an 11-tally triumph in the third set through a balanced offensive attack.

Middle blocker Carter Booth recorded 12 kills, all-world outside hitter Sarah Franklin chipped in with 10 kills and Shadd-Ceres followed with nine kills in her collegiate debut.

“It feels good to be back with the girls,” Franklin told UWBadgers.com. “Everyday in practice we are getting closer and closer and I think getting to play against another team really just puts into perspective the amount of work we are able to put in and it just feels great being back.”

Wisconsin will begin its regular season against No. 6 University of Louisville  at KFC Yum! Center on Aug. 27.

With team captains Franklin, Robinson and Julia Orzol at the helm, Wisconsin will look to capture its fifth AIAW/NCAA Tournament semifinal in six years after losing to Texas in the Final Four last spring.

The Badgers recently landed at No. 3 spot in the 2024 Preseason American Volleyball Coaches Association top 25 rankings and enter this slate as one of the most viable contenders across the collegiate landscape.

Wisconsin will face Texas in an effort to avenge its semifinal defeat on Sept. 1 in Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum.

Wisconsin volleyball announces 2024 team captains

Wisconsin volleyball announces 2024 team captains

Wisconsin volleyball program announced its 2024 team captains on Monday.

Fifth-year middle blocker Devyn Robinson, fifth-year outside hitter Sarah Franklin and senior outside hitter Julia Orzol will serve as UW’s leaders ahead of its 2024 campaign.

Robinson, who notched her 1000th career kill a season ago, appeared in 31 matches and 110 sets for UW in 2023. The Ankeny, Iowa native also ranked third on the team with 2.43 kills per set and managed 0.92 blocks and 0.39 digs per set. The output earned her a spot on the 2023 NCAA Regional All-Tournament Team and Second-Team All-Big Ten team.

Franklin, the 2023 AVCA National Player of the Year, Northeast Region Player of the Year and Big Ten Player of the Year, enters her fifth year of eligibility after two seasons with both the Badgers and Michigan State Spartans.

The 6-foot-4 superstar captained UW with 4.15 kills per set (No. 5 in the Big Ten), posted double-figure kills in 28 matches and was responsible for 0.53 blocks and 0.18 service aces per set. The spectacular season showing even landed her an ESPY nomination for the Best Women’s Collegiate Athlete category.

Orzol, the 2021 Big Ten Freshman of the Year and 2023 NCAA Regional All-Tournament selection, will aim to replicate her stellar 2023 season. She led the team with 3.46 digs per set and accounted for a team-best 0.31 service aces per set.

The Badgers recently landed at No. 3 spot in the 2024 Preseason American Volleyball Coaches Association top 25 rankings this week after a 30-4 mark last year. All three athletes represented Wisconsin during its NCAA Final Four run last year, and they enter this fall with realistic championship aspirations.

Wisconsin volleyball lands near top of 2024 AVCA preseason top 25

Wisconsin volleyball lands near top of 2024 AVCA preseason top 25

The Wisconsin Badgers’ volleyball program earned the No. 3 spot in the 2024 Preseason American Volleyball Coaches Association top 25 rankings on Monday.

Two-time defending national champion Texas pocketed the No. 1 ranking while 2023 runner-up Nebraska followed at No. 2. Pittsburgh (No. 4), Stanford (No. 5), Louisville (No. 6), Penn State (No. 7), Purdue (No. 8), Kentucky (No. 9) and Oregon (No. 10) rounded out the top 10.

Captained by head coach Kelly Sheffield, the conductor of nine NCAA Elite Eight squads during his 11-year tenure, the Badgers enter this season after going 30-4 during their 2023 campaign.

With AVCA National Player of the Year, AVCA First-Team All-American and Big Ten Player of the Year Sarah Franklin at outside hitter, the 2023 Badgers rattled off 18 consecutive wins to open their season before dropping a match to No. 2 Nebraska.

Wisconsin amassed a remarkable 17-0 record at home and 10-3 mark on the road before the 2023 NCAA Tournament. As one of its No. 1 seeds, UW advanced all the way to the Final Four before losing to eventual-champion Texas 3-1.

Nonetheless, Wisconsin enters this season as one of the most lethal contenders in the entire country. Alongside Franklin, part of that equation is the return of first-team All-Big Ten Carter Booth (middle blocker) and Anna Smrek (middle blocker and outside hitter). Fifth year middle blocker and 2022 AVCA Third-Team All-American Devyn Robinson will also make her return to Wisconsin.

Given the consistency with its nucleus, the Badgers know what it takes to win on a national scale. The crew begins its journey for another title with its opener against Bradley at home on Aug. 20.

Wisconsin volleyball stars enjoy Olympic opening ceremony with NBA legend Steph Curry

Wisconsin volleyball legends enjoy Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony with Steph Curry

Just days after snapping a photo with rapper Snoop Dogg, former Wisconsin volleyball stars Lauren Carlini and Dana Rettke were pictured alongside NBA legend Steph Curry at the Summer Olympics opening ceremony on Friday.

Staged along Paris, France’s Seine River, the opening ceremony included a majority of the 592 American athletes selected to participate in the Olympic Games this summer.

Several crossovers between powerful sporting figures, including USA Volleyball’s women’s roster and four-time NBA champion Steph Curry, took place on Friday before the ceremony.

The Americans were together on one vessel as the Olympic procession floated down the Seine.

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Carlini and Rettke will represent the Badgers for the first time on an Olympic stage this Monday at 10:00 a.m. CT. The red, white and blue will square off against China before a match vs. Serbia on July 31.

Carlini will play setter while Rettke will play middle blocker during the USA’s quest for a gold medal.

LOOK: Wisconsin volleyball legends pictured with rapper Snoop Dogg

LOOK: Wisconsin volleyball legends pictured with Snoop Dogg

You never know who you’ll run into at the Summer Olympics.

On Wednesday, former Wisconsin volleyball stars Lauren Carlini and Dana Rettke were pictured alongside legendary rapper Snoop Dogg ahead of the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

As a contributor to NBC’s coverage of the event, Snoop made his rounds to several Olympic squads today — including the 2024 USA Women’s Volleyball Team. The famous rapper appears to have bumped into Rettke and Carlini’s group either before or after a practice.

Carlini and Rettke will represent the Badgers and the USA when the Olympic games begin later this week. The contest will serve as the first Olympic experience for both former Badgers.

Carlini will play setter for the 2024 team while Rettke will play middle blocker during the USA’s quest for a gold medal.

Carlini was previously an AVCA First-Team All-American and All-Big Ten Team member in four consecutive seasons as a Badger. She also took home 2014 Big Ten Player of the Year nods and Big Ten Setter of the Year in both 2014 and 2015.

Rettke, arguably the greatest player in Wisconsin history, was an AVCA First-Team All-American in all four years, and named Big Ten Female Athlete of the Year twice in 2020 and 2022.

She also received 2019 Big Ten Player of the Year, 2017 Big Ten Freshman of the Year and 2019, 2020, and 2021 AVCA Northeast Region Player of the Year nods from 2019-21.

The crew opens Olympic action with China on July 29 at South Paris Arena.