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.
Home sweep home! 🧹 pic.twitter.com/BQPDxfiEKp
— Wisconsin Volleyball (@BadgerVB) September 11, 2024
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.