Setting the Stage: Badgers set for a road test

MADISON, Wis. — The No. 8 Wisconsin volleyball team will take to the road for two matches this weekend. The Badgers will play at Indiana on Thursday night at 6 p.m. and it will be aired on FS1. On Saturday afternoon, Wisconsin will take on No. 10 Purdue at 2:30 p.m. and that match will be aired on NBC.

Before the match begins, here are six things to know: 

1. LAST TIME OUT: Wisconsin (13-4, 7-1 B1G) clinched two Big Ten wins this past weekend, earning a ranked win over No. 11 Oregon and Michigan. Last Friday night’s 25-19, 21-25, 25-19, 25-19 win over the Ducks was highlighted by an impressive defensive showing with five Badgers in double figures in the dig column. The Badgers carried that momentum into the 21-25, 25-10, 25-20, 26-16 win over Michigan, as they set a new program record for total blocks in a four-set match, racking up 21.0 blocks.

2. WISCONSIN ROOFING COMPANY: On Sunday against Michigan, the Wisconsin Badgers put on a blocking clinic, tallying 21.0 total team blocks in four sets. The 21.0 blocks sets a new program record for the most blocks in a four-set match. The previous record was set back in October of 2021 against Ohio State (19.0). Sunday’s blockfest also ranks second in the NCAA this season for most blocks in a four-set match. On September 9, Idaho St. recorded 25.0 blocks against CSUN. Junior Carter Booth reached a career-best with 12.0 against the Wolverines, Charlie Fuerbringer also set a career-high with six, while Anna Smrek tallied a season-best eight blocks. Booth’s 12.0 blocks ranks fourth in the NCAA for most blocks in a four-set match.

3. TOP SHEFF: With the victory over Michigan Sunday, head coach Kelly Sheffield ties 2024 UW Hall of Fame inductee and former head coach Pete Wait for the most wins at Wisconsin (305). He looks to break the record this weekend.



4. THE TOP 16: The NCAA volleyball committee revealed it’s in-season Top 16 rankings with the Badgers coming in at No. 9. At the end of the season, the Top 16 teams host the First and Second Round of the NCAA Tournament, while the Top 4 host throughout Regional Finals. Seven of the Top 16 are from the Big Ten with Nebraska ranked number one. Penn State follows at three, while Wisconsin (9), Oregon (10), Purdue (12), USC (15), and Minnesota (16) follow.

5. SCOUTING THE HOOSIERS: The Badgers lead the Hoosiers (9-9,…