Setting the Stage: Badgers take on Wildcats

MADISON, Wis. — The No. 7 Wisconsin volleyball team will hit the road again to take on Northwestern on Saturday night in Evanston, Ill. First serve is set for 7 p.m. and will be aired on B1G+.

1. LAST TIME OUT: In the Big Ten opener on Wednesday night, the Badgers fell in five to No. 16 Minnesota. After UW took command in the first set, the Gophers outlasted Wisconsin, 25-19, 15-25, 27-25, 15-25, 16-18. The Badgers had three hitters in double figures, as Sarah Franklin finished with 21 kills, while Anna Smrek and Julia each added 13 kills.

2. BY THE NUMBERS: The Badgers rank 23rd in the NCAA and sixth in the Big Ten with a .275 hitting percentage. Pittsburgh leads the nation with a .365 hitting percentage, while Penn State leads the B1G at .332. In kills per set, Wisconsin ranks 36th in the NCAA and seventh in the B1G averaging 13.63. Kansas leads the NCAA with 14.78 while Penn State leads the Big Ten at 14.73. Fifth year Sarah Franklin ranks in the top-30 in two categories, attacks per set and points per set. Ranks 13th in the NCAA and second in the B1G with 4.58 kills/set 12.08 attacks/set ranks eighth overall, first in the Big Ten. 4.99 points/set ranks 23rd overall, third in the Big Ten. Charlie Fuerbringer ranks 29th in the NCAA with an average of 10.31 assists/set.

3. CAN YOU DIG IT: The Badgers saw a new lineup on Wednesday, with Gulce Guctekin back in the starting libero position and Lola Schumacher transitioning to DS. Schumacher had been starting at libero the past five matches, beginning at the Baylor match. Against the Gophers, Franklin, Orzol and Guctekin all finished with double figure digs, as Schumacher and Charlie Fuerbringer were not far behind with nine and eight digs, respectively.



4. WIZARD OF OZ: Against Minnesota, Julia Orzol tied a season-best 16 digs. She also eclipsed the 1,000 career dig mark against the Gophers. The outside hitter had a season-best against Texas A&M with 15 kills on 32 swings (15-3-32) for a .375 hitting percentage.

5. BACK IN OUR HUMBLE ABODE: Following the away match next Wednesday at Rutgers, the Badgers will be back in the UW Field House for a four-match homestand. Wisconsin will welcome two new Big Ten foes to Madison, as No. 12 Oregon and Washington come to town. The Badgers will also host Maryland and Northwestern.

6. SCOUTING THE WILDCATS:…