Serving up six: Badgers host a pair of Big Ten foes

MADISON, Wis. — No. 1 Wisconsin (15-0, 6-0 B1G) kicks off a three-match homestand this weekend. The Badgers host Rutgers (9-7, 1-5) on Friday at 7 p.m. before welcoming Maryland (13-5, 3-3) on Sunday at 1 p.m. Both matches will be streamed live on B1G+ and can also be heard in the Madison area on FoxSports 1070 or anywhere using the iHeartRadio app.

1. HISTORY IN THE MAKING: UW is on a school-record 24-match Big Ten winning streak, dating back to the 2022 season, including a 16-match conference winning streak in the Field House. The Badgers are also on a 21-set winning stretch, which is the second-longest set-winning streak in the nation this year.

2. TOP DOGS: UW hit .388 at Illinois on Saturday, the 11th match this season over .300 and the second-highest team hitting percent of the year. The Badgers rank fourth nationally and lead the Big Ten with a .313 hitting percentage. Sophomore Carter Booth leads the conference at .450 while junior Anna Smrek ranks second at .424.

3. BADGER BRICK WALL: The Badgers have outblocked 14-of-15 opponents this season while tying one foe, ranking eighth nationally and second in the Big Ten with 2.87 blocks per set. In Big Ten matches, UW leads the conference with 3.28 blocks per set.



4. CONFERENCE LEADERS: Carter Booth leads the Big Ten in conference-only matches with 1.83 blocks per set while senior CC Crawford ranks seventh at 1.39 and Anna Smrek sits eighth at 1.22 blocks per set.

5. DEALING ACES: In Big Ten-only matches, Wisconsin leads the conference with 2.33 aces per set. Junior Julia Orzoł leads the Big Ten with 0.61 aces per set. The 6-foot libero tied her career high three service aces at Iowa last Wednesday. CC Crawford ties for sixth with 0.44 aces per set.

6. SWEET CAROLINE: Senior CC Crawford has turned up her play over the last three matches. The 6-foot-3 middle blocker has five-or-more blocks in each of the last three matches, averaging 1.89 blocks per set. Crawford’s hitting has also improved over the last two contests, hitting .667 (11-1-15) for 1.83 kills per set.