The Badgers (4-4) have been inconsistent throughout the season, playing several close matches against high-ranked teams, with outcomes going either way.
This weekend was another example, as Wisconsin was able to take down Texas A&M (4-5) in a close five-set matchup on Friday. The Badgers were not able to keep their winning streak going, falling to Texas (4-4) in four sets on Sunday.
Badger block finds a spark
Texas A&M started off hot Friday, going up 9-2 early in set one. The Badgers slowly fought back, with a pair of kills from outside hitter Eva Travis to narrow the Aggies lead to one.
Wisconsin continued to chip away, eventually taking a 15-14 lead before going into a timeout. The Aggies bounced back immediately with a 4-0 run and eventually took the set 25-18.
The Badgers got back into business in set two, going on 5-1 run. Texas A&M fought back and both teams traded points throughout the set. A pair of Badger blocks capped off the set, 25-23.
Wisconsin’s front row made their presence known, marking a season-high 17 blocks by the end of the night, led by sophomore Natalie Wardlow’s nine and freshman Decelise Champion’s eight.
Set three started with a back-and-forth battle, both teams exchanging points throughout the set. Despite the Badgers ending the set with a match-high .333 hitting percentage, the Aggies were able to close it out with a kill from Kaia Castle, winning the set 25-23.
Set four began similarly, before Wisconsin went on a 5-0 run to take a 14-9 lead. A few Badger errors allowed the Aggies to catch up and continue to battle.
Another Wisconsin block sealed the set 25-22, tying the match and forcing a fifth set.
Tensions were high going into the final set, with both top-25 teams preparing to give it their all.
Texas A&M stayed ahead for most of the fifth set, with Wisconsin trailing closely behind, refusing to let the Aggies pull away. An ace from defensive specialist Anna Bardaro allowed the Badgers to take a 12-11 lead before going on a 4-0 run to end the set 15-11 and secure the win.
Charlie Fuerbringer showcased her versatility throughout the match. The senior setter earned a career-high eight kills and a season-high 19 digs, while also recording 43 assists.
Wisconsin’s offense falls apart
Coming off a tough win, the Badgers traveled to Austin to take on the Longhorns Sunday. The first set started as a back-and-forth battle, before a few Wisconsin errors allowed for Texas to take a 16-12 lead.
The Badgers were able to tie it up at 16 after a 4-0 run highlighted by an ace from freshman setter Isabella Hoppe. Wisconsin continued to slowly pull ahead, and a pair of Badger kills finished off set one 25-21.
Set two was once again a back-and-forth battle, with Texas pulling slightly ahead by the middle of the set. Three back-to-back kills from the Longhorns created a five-point lead towards the end of the set, with a kill from Henley Anderson closing out the one 25-21 and tying the match.
The Badger’s offense fell apart in set three, recording a .064 hitting percentage — only 10 kills on 47 total attacks. A 6-0 run from the Longhorns created separation, followed by a 5-0 run that allowed them to pull away 19-12.
Wisconsin managed to fight back, and narrowed Texas’ lead to three. But the Longhorns kept it together and closed out set three 25-20.
Texas capitalized on Wisconsin's struggles, staying ahead for the entirety of the fourth set. Back-to-back attack errors from the Badgers at the end of the match allowed for the Longhorns to take the set 25-16, ending Wisconsin' s three-game winning streak.
Outside hitter Audrey Flanagan, who usually leads the Badgers offensively, appeared in only the first two sets during this match-up. The freshman had a rough game, tallying only four kills, as well as four hitting errors and two serving errors.
The Badgers will stay in Wisconsin for the next few games, hosting Marquette on Sept. 17 and Milwaukee on Sept. 18.
Both matches are must-wins for Wisconsin if they wish to keep their spot in the AVCA top 10. Though neither team is ranked, the Badgers have shown what can happen when their offense falls apart.
