MADISON, Wis. — For the 10th straight season, Wisconsin is heading to the NCAA Regionals. The second-ranked Badger volleyball team advanced to the Sweet 16 with a 25-9, 25-11, 25-23 win over TCU in second-round action on Saturday night.
UW used a strong serving game and tough blocking to shut down the Horned Frogs.
Wisconsin scored on six service aces, including two apiece from MJ Hammill and Caroline Crawford, while giving up only one ace.
The Badgers also outblocked TCU, 11-2, its fourth-straight match and 18th of the season with 10-or-more blocks. Danielle Hart led all players with five stuffs while Devyn Robinson and Julia Orzol both added four stops, including two block solos by Orzol.
UW edged the Horned Frogs 34-33 in kills but Wisconsin hit .395 (34-4-76) compared to just .051 (33-28-98) from TCU. Sarah Franklin was the only Badger in double-figure kills with a match-high 13 while Robinson and Anna Smrek both added six kills.
The Horned Frogs edged Wisconsin 35-33 in digs but freshman Gulce Guctekin led all players with a match-high 11 digs.
After Wisconsin dominated the first two sets, TCU challenged the Badgers in the third set with eight early ties, including at 9-9. Behind the service of Crawford, Wisconsin went on a 3-0 run to take a 12-9 lead. UW would up its lead to four (20-16) but TCU would make it just a two-point set at 23-21. The Badgers served for match point at 24-21 but the Horned Frogs would hold off two match points before a block from Franklin and Smrek extended Wisconsin’s season.
Straight from the court
Head coach Kelly Sheffield
“Against anybody that…
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