MADISON, Wis. — After starting the first five matches on the road, the No. 8 Wisconsin volleyball team hosts UW-Milwaukee at the UW Field House on Tuesday night for the home opener of the 2024 season. First serve is set for 7 p.m. and the match will be streamed on B1G+.
1. LAST TIME OUT: Trying to rebound from an 0-3 start to the season, the Badgers responded well at the Big Ten/Big 12 Challenge over the weekend. Taking on TCU first, UW put together a gritty win in five sets over the Horned Frogs. But the challenge continued, as the Badgers faced No. 23 Baylor the following night. After winning the first two sets, Baylor forced a fifth set and looked like they were going to take the match as they led 14-11. But Wisconsin came out on top, 16-14, after running five straight points.
2. NEW AVCA JUST DROPPED: Despite two wins over the weekend, the Badgers fell to No. 8 in the polls after the four set loss to Stanford last Monday. Texas dropped to No. 6 with losses to Minnesota and Miami, as Pittsburgh, Stanford and Penn State sit at the top of the rankings.
3. FINDING WHAT WORKS: Transitioning from the two libero approach that Sheffield had been deploying so far this season, the Badgers took a new look on Saturday with freshman Lola Schumacher starting at libero. The freshman put up 27 digs, including a couple unreal digs to save the fifth set as Baylor was pushing match point.
4. TANK DOING TANK THINGS: It is no surprise Sarah Franklin is putting up the numbers she is so far this season. She has hit in double figures all five matches, including back-to-back 20+ kill performances over the weekend. The senior recorded 69 total attack attempts against Texas, a program record in a four-set match. She currently leads the team, Big Ten and ranks 21st in the NCAA with 4.55 kills/set.
5. HOME SWEET HOME: Along with the tough schedule to start the season, the Badgers also played all those matches on the road. UW will now enter a four match home stand, including the Kohl Center classic vs Marquette on Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. Wisconsin will then welcome Troy and Texas A&M that following weekend.
6. SCOUTING THE PANTHERS: The Badgers hold a 25-5 record over the Panthers with their most previous meeting coming in December 2013 during the postseason. The last time Wisconsin lost a match to Milwaukee was in 1999. The Panthers…
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