Serving up six: Badgers prepare for two at the Field House

MADISON, Wis. — No. 2 Wisconsin (20-1, 11-1 B1G) wraps up a three-match home stand with two Big Ten matches in the UW Field House this week. The Badgers host No. 19 Purdue (14-7, 8-4) on Wednesday at 6 p.m. live on the Big Ten Network, and will close out the week against Illinois (12-10, 7-5) Saturday at 7 p.m. also live on BTN. 

1. VOLLEYBALL VIEWERSHIP RECORD:  On Sunday, the first-ever volleyball match was aired on Fox. The Wisconsin-Minnesota border battle did not disappoint as the match drew in 1.66 million viewers, shattering a previous record set on the Big Ten Network that featured Wisconsin and Nebraska (612K). The 1.66M also surpassed the largest National Championship audience ever on ESPN networks (2021 Nebraska-Wisconsin: 1.20M).

2. B1G HONORS FOR FRANK THE TANK: For the week of Oct. 30, senior Sarah Franklin received her second (fifth overall) Big Ten weekly honor and was named Player of the Week for her performances against Michigan State and Minnesota. The six-foot-four outside hitter totaled 38 kills, averaging 6.33 kills per set. Franklin had 21 alone against Minnesota, and hit a season-best .455 (21-1-44). In addition to her offensive power, Franklin added nine digs, five blocks, and tallied three service aces.

3. SETTING WITH SUCCESS: Wisconsin’s setters Izzy Ashburn and MJ Hammill combined for 12.5 assists per set, while the offense hit .347 against their two opponents this weekend. The two also averaged 5.1 digs per set combined. 



4. DID SOMEONE SAY POWER?: The Badgers have a balanced offensive attack with five hitters that average 1.7 or more kills per set. As a team, the Badgers average 13.85 kills per set, which ranks second in the Big Ten and 18th nationally.

5. UPCOMING MILESTONE: Head Coach Kelly Sheffield (282-58 Wisconsin Record) is just two wins away from tying Pete Waite for hte most conference wins at Wisconsin. 

6. BIG BAD CARTER BOOTH: Sophomore Carter Booth leads the team with 1.47 blocks per set, which ranks ninth nationally and leads the Big Ten. the six-foot-seven middle blocker has totaled 107 so far this season in 73 sets.