MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin (31-3 in 2021) opens its 2022 season by traveling to Fort Worth, Texas, for the Big 12/Big Ten Challenge, hosted by TCU. The third-ranked Badgers and No. 5 Minnesota (23-9) represent the Big Ten, facing TCU (8-18) and No. 16 Baylor (22-6) in the tournament. UW opens the tournament against Horned Frogs on Friday at 7 p.m., live on ESPN+. Wisconsin takes on the Bears on Saturday at 4 p.m.
1. SEASON OPENERS: UW is 34-14 all-time in season openers, including a 6-2 away record. Wisconsin swept TCU in its 2021 opener in the UW Field House and has won six-straight season openers.
2. WINNING STREAK ON THE LINE: The Badgers put their 12-match winning streak on the line as they open the 2022 season. Wisconsin ended the 2021 season winning its last 12 matches, including the NCAA Championship.
3. TOUGH SCHEDULE AHEAD: The Badgers have a tough schedule in 2022, playing 13 matches against teams ranked or receiving votes in the 2022 preseason AVCA poll. During the non-conference season, Wisconsin faces No. 11 Kentucky, No. 15 Florida, No. 16 Baylor and receiving votes Marquette. In Big Ten play, Wisconsin will play 12 matches against teams ranked or receiving votes in the preseason poll.
4. WHITE EDGES RED: An exciting third set gave UW fans just what they were looking for at the Badgers’ annual intrasquad scrimmage. The White team defeated the Red team, 25-15, 17-25, 33-31 last Saturday afternoon in the UW Field House. Sophomore Julia Orzol and freshman Ella Wrobel led the White team with 16 kills and 14 kills, respectively, as the team hit .310 (42 kills -11 errors- 100 attempts). Transfer Sarah Franklin led the Red team with 14 kills as that squad hit .231 (44-19-108). Three players on the Red team added nine kills as Jade Demps, Liz Gregorski, and Devyn Robinson all just missed double figures.
5. WELCOME BACK DAN: The Badgers welcome the return of middle blocker Danielle Hart, who missed most of the 2021 season with a torn ACL. The 6-foot-4 Hart was having the best season of her career last year before tearing her ACL on Sept. 14. She was hitting a season-best .427 while averaging a season-best 2.32 kills per set. Hart was also averaging a season-best 1.16 blocks per set. A two-plus year starter, Hart was a 2019 VolleyballMag.com Honorable Mention All-America and was a 2019 and…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Wisconsin Badgers…