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.