After starting last season 18-0, No. 3 Badgers fall in season-opener at sixth-ranked Louisville
The University of Wisconsin women’s volleyball team didn’t lose last season until late October, starting the year 18-0.
This season, the third-ranked Badgers begin with a loss. Sixth-ranked Louisville dropped the first set on Tuesday but took the next three for the 3-1 win (18-25, 25-17, 26-24, 25-20) in front of 9,280 in the crowd.
“I’m excited to get back in the gym,” UW senior outside hitter Sarah Franklin said. “We kind of have seen what we can do in that first set and I think just being able to close that out. Being able to trust each other at endgame situations in the red zone. Being able to perform under that pressure. It’s five points left, we just need to be better in that area.”
Teammate Charlie Fuerbringer, in her first collegiate match, had 42 assists for the Badgers, while senior Devyn Robinson tied a career-high with 10 blocks for the fourth time.
Things get no easier for Wisconsin. Sunday, they sort of host No. 1 Texas in Milwaukee at the Bucks arena. The Longhorns beat the Badgers 3-0 in last year’s Final Four on their way to a National Title.
The 11:30 a.m. match will be Texas’ first of the season. Wisconsin plays No. 5 Stanford the next day in Milwaukee, as part of what’s called the AVCA First Serve Showcase.
TOP PHOTO: Wisconsin’s Carter Booth (left) and Anna Smrek go up for a block against Louisville on Aug. 27, 2024 (PHOTO: @BadgerVB on Twitter)