Setting the Stage: Badgers host Trojans and Aggies

MADISON, Wis. — The No. 7 Wisconsin volleyball team welcomes Troy to the Field House on Friday night at 7 pm and will be aired on B1G+. The following night, the Badgers will match up against Texas A&M at 7 pm, and with that match being aired on the Big Ten Network.

1. LAST TIME OUT: The Badgers (4-3) defeated Marquette on Tuesday night at the Kohl Center Classic. After dropping the first set 22-25, Wisconsin took control in the final three sets, winning 25-20, 25-16, 25-22.

2. ALL GAS, NO BRAKES: In front of 15,084 fans at Wisconsin’s Kohl Center, outside hitter Sarah Franklin had a career night, tallying a personal-best 33 kills  (33-2-60) against Marquette. Franklin surpasses Badger great Dana Rettke for most kills in a match. Rettke set the record against Minnesota in 2018. Franklin also hit the 1,500 kills milestone Tuesday. She now sits fifth all-time in program history at 1,528. Sherisa Livingston sits atop with 1,912 career kills

3. AVCA WATCH LIST: In its inaugural year, the AVCA named 36 athletes to the AVCA Division I National Player of the Year Watch List. Of the 36 athletes, Wisconsin’s Carter Booth, Sarah Franklin, and Anna Smrek were listed.



4. CALL ME MAYBE, CARLY: In a game time decision, graduate Carly Anderson stepped in for an injured Charlie Fuerbringer at setter against the Golden Eagles. Anderson set the Badgers to a .355 hitting efficiency, and recorded a double-double with 51 assists and 11 digs.

5. SCOUTING THE TROJANS: This is the very first meeting between Wisconsin and Troy. Currently, the Trojans hold a 5-3 record on the season. Troy also matched up against Big Ten foe, Maryland, in the first match of their season, where the Terrapins defeated the Trojans 3-0. Troy was picked to finish second in the West Division, decided by the Sun Belt head coaches.

6. SCOUTING THE AGGIES: Wisconsin has a 6-3 advantage over Texas A&M, all time. In their most recent matchup, in the spring of 2021, Texas A&M swept UW in Omaha. The Badgers are undefeated against the Aggies at home. Texas A&M is currently undefeated this season, holding a 7-0 record. They took down No. 23 Baylor, 3-1, in the first match of the season.