MADISON, Wis. — No. 1 Wisconsin (13-0, 4-0 B1G) hits the road again this week to play at Iowa (8-8, 0-4). The Badgers and Hawkeyes serve off at 7 p.m. on Wednesday live on the Big Ten Network from XTreme Arena in Coralville, Iowa.
1. AT THE TOP: Wisconsin is ranked No. 1 in the first NCAA RPI of the 2023 season released Monday. The Badgers lead the ranking ahead of Big Ten-foe Nebraska.
2. STILL PERFECT: Wisconsin’s 13-0 is the second-best opening in program history. The best start was a 16-0 start in 2020. The Badgers are one of only four teams that are undefeated this season.
3. STREAKS ON STREAKS: UW is on a school-record 22-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 15-set winning stretch, the longest of the season.
4. HITTERS GONNA HIT: Wisconsin has four of the top hitters in Big Ten-only matches based on hitting percentage. Junior Anna Smrek ranks second at .442 while senior Devyn Robinson sits fourth at .438. Senior Sarah Franklin (.386) and sophomore Carter Booth (.385) rank seventh and eighth, respectively.
5. BIG BADGER BLOCK: The Badgers have out blocked 12-of-13 opponents this season while tying one foe, ranking 11th nationally with 2.73 blocks per set. In Big Ten matches, UW leads the conference with 3.17 blocks per set. Sophomore Carter Booth leads the Big Ten in conference-only matches with 2.00 blocks per set.
6. DEALING ACES: After the four Big Ten matches, the Badgers lead the conference with 2.42 aces per set. Senior Caroline Crawford, junior Julia Orzol and sophomore Gulce Guctekin lead UW and tie for fifth in the B1G with 0.50 aces per set.
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