MADISON, Wis. — For the sixth time in program history, the Wisconsin volleyball team is heading to the NCAA National Semifinals after beating No. 6 Oregon 25-22, 25-22, 25-27, 25-18, in the regional finals at the UW Field House on Saturday night.
After winning the first two sets, Oregon (29-6) battled back to take the third set in extra points. But the fourth set was all Wisconsin (30-3).
The third-ranked Badgers led 9-8 in the final set before Izzy Ashburn went back to serve, keying a 7-0 run. Three kills from Sarah Franklin aided UW to a 14-8 lead. The Ducks cut that lead to five, including at 21-16, but Wisconsin responded each time and didn’t allow more than a two-point run from Oregon. The Badgers earned match point at 24-16 on a block from Devyn Robinson and Carter Booth but Oregon held off two set points before missing a serve that sent Wisconsin to Tampa.
Wisconsin’s block keyed the win as the Badgers outblocked the Ducks, 16-4. Booth led alll players with nine blocks as Anna Smrek and CC Crawford each added seven stuffs.
Franklin led the charge offensively, totaling 20 kills. Temi Thomas-Ailara put down 11 kills, while Anna Smrek added 10. The Badgers hit .313 (59 kills – 12 errors -150 attempts) on the night. MJ Hammill (26 assists) and Izzy Ashburn (23 assists) set up the UW offense.
Oregon finished the match hitting .207 (64 – 28 – 174) as outside hitter Mimi Colyer shared match-high honors with 20 kills.
In the backcourt, Gulce Guctekin had match-high 17 digs with libero Julia Orzol was not far behind with 16 saves. Franklin added 11 to complete her eighth double-double…
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