MADISON, Wis. – The 2023 Wisconsin volleyball team celebrated its season on Saturday with the team’s annual banquet at Union South. The Badgers recognized its season successes and presented two team awards.
Head coach Kelly Sheffield announced that senior Sarah Franklin was named the 2023 Bring It Award winner while junior Julia Orzol was named Most Improved player.
The Bring It Award is the highest award given by the team. It is presented to the player that consistently shows up to play and practice each and every day. She is an athlete that is consistently practicing on her competitive edge, shows tremendous leadership in times of success and adversity, and is a player that is always supporting teammates in order to build a positive system and community.
Franklin had her best season statistically and in accolades so far in her career. In 2023, Franklin was a unanimous All-Big Ten first team selection and was named the Big Ten Player of the Year. She was also named the AVCA Northeast Region Player of the Year while earning all-region honors. Franklin was named Most Outstanding Player in the NCAA Madison Regional, leading the Badgers to the NCAA National Semifinals. On Dec. 13, Franklin earned first-team All-America honors and additionally, the 6-foot-4 outside hitter was named the AVCA National Player of the Week on Nov. 28 to go along with three Big Ten Player of the Week awards this year. To cap off her senior season, Franklin was named AVCA National Division Player of the Year. She is just the second in program history to earn the prestigious honor.
Statistically Franklin led the Badgers with 4.15 kills per set, which ranked 28th nationally. She had double-figure kills in 29 matches this season, including five matches with 20-plus kills. Franklin also hit a season best, .300 percent. She averaged 4.62 points per set, adding 0.53 blocks and 0.18 service aces per set. One of the Badgers’ primary passers, Franklin added 1.93 digs per set, recording eight double-doubles.
Transitioning from outside hitter to libero this season, Julia Orzol a 6-foot-2 setter, played a pivotal role in the Badger defense. This season, she played in all 34 matches and 119 sets, starting 28 at libero and six at outside hitter. She ranks first on the team with 3.46 digs per set, recording double-figure digs in 27 matches. She was…
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