Badgers knock the horns off Rams

MADISON, Wis. – A dominating performance from the service line led the fourth-ranked Wisconsin volleyball team to a sweep of Rhode Island in the UW Field House on Sunday afternoon. The Badgers downed the Rams 25-16, 25-10, 25-16 in their final non-conference match of the season.
 
Freshman Gulce Guctekin continued her success as a Badger, tying the school record for most service aces in a three-set match under 25-point rally scoring with six.

Behind Guctekin, Wisconsin (6-2) also tied the team school record for service aces with 12.  Senior Izzy Ashburn and sophomore Julia Orzoł added two apiece while Liz Gregorski and MJ Hammill both added one ace. The Badgers gave up only two service aces to Rhode Island (4-9) in the match.

 

Gucktekin also led the Badgers in the backcourt, recording a match-high 16 digs. Wisconsin finished with a 29-24 advantage in digs and a 4-2 edge in blocks. Danielle Hart led the team with three blocks while Anna Smrek and Devyn Robinson had two each.

 

As a team, UW hit .459 (40 kills – 6 errors – 74 attempts) while holding Rhode Island to a .066 (22-17-76) hitting percentage. Sarah Franklin and Julia Orzol led the Badgers with nine kills apiece while Hart hit .875 with seven kills on eight attempts with no errors. Franklin hit a career-best .750 (9-0-12) as Wisconsin cruised on offense. Eight Wisconsin players had two-or-more kills in the…