The Wisconsin volleyball team (11-5, 4-1) are currently on a seven-game win streak, with five of those wins against ranked Big Ten teams.
The Badgers hosted Indiana (10-5, 3-3) at the Field House on Oct. 1, coming out on top of an intense five-set matchup. They then traveled to Minneapolis on Oct. 4, defeating the Gophers (9-5, 3-3) in four sets.
Wisconsin kept their winning streak going, sweeping Illinois (11-6, 3-3) on Oct. 9.
Freshman Outside Hitter Audrey Flanagan led Wisconsin in kills on all three nights, tallying 17 against Indiana, 14 against Minnesota and 12 against Illinois.
Badgers almost sell a 2-0 lead
Wisconsin and Indiana opened up play on Oct. 1, trading points to begin set one. Wisconsin created separation later in the set, with a 3-0 run sparked by a kill from Middle Blocker Jaela Auguste, that helped the Badgers 15-11.
The Badgers remained ahead for the remainder of the set, going up 24-17 after a 5-0 run. The Hoosiers continued to put up a fight, but an attack error by Middle Blocker Kiki Granberry allowed Wisconsin to take set one 25-19.
The Badgers carried this momentum to set two by going up 8-2 right away, tallying four kills and two aces. Wisconsin continued to showcase their offense during this set, recording a match-high of 18 kills with .586 hitting percentage.
Indiana’s defense couldn’t keep up, allowing Wisconsin to take a 10-point lead near the end of the set. A pair of kills from Flanagan closed out set two for the Badgers 25-14.
The Hoosiers kept the Badgers on their toes, fighting back in set three. A 4-0 run allowed Indiana to go up 17-15, highlighted by back-to-back aces from Middle Blocker Ella Boersema.
Wisconsin kept chipping away, eventually tying the score at 20 after a kill from Auguste. Indiana was able to take it in the end with a kill and block to take the set 25-22.
The Hoosiers took advantage of the shift in momentum, going up 9-5 in set four. Indiana kept pulling away and a 4-0 run allowed them to gain a seven-point lead.
The Badgers struggled to recover, recording only eight kills with a .069 hitting percentage, as well as a match-high six errors.
A pair of Indiana kills finished off set four at 25-20, tying up the match and forcing a fifth set.
Wisconsin didn’t give up hope and completely turned it around in set five, going up 5-2 right away. A 4-0 run later in the set allowed the Badgers to go up 12-6, putting them just three points away from sealing the win.
Wisconsin was able complete the win, with a kill from Outside Hitter Decelise Champion that finished set five 15-8.
Wisconsin defeats border rivals
The Badgers headed over to Minnesota on Oct. 4, facing off against the Gophers in a highly anticipated border battle.
Wisconsin started off strong in set one, going up 7-3 to begin the match. Minnesota trailed closely behind and eventually took the lead 13-10 after a 4-0 run.
Both teams continued trading points before Wisconsin started to take over, sparked by a 5-0 run that allowed them to go up 19-16. The Badgers were eventually able to close it out with a pair of kills from Flanagan and Middle Blocker Lynney Tarnow to end set one 25-21.
Set two began as a back-and-forth battle before Minnesota went on a 3-0 run to go up 15-10. Wisconsin responded right away with a 5-0 run of their own, highlighted by three kills from Auguste to tie the score at 15.
Though they were down by two near the end of the set, the Gophers were able to pull off an 8-1 run to finish the set 25-22 and tie the match.
The Badgers bounced back immediately in set three, going up 6-1 to start the set. Wisconsin’s offense stayed consistent throughout the set, recording a .333 hitting percentage and refusing to let Minnesota close the gap.
With their offense parading their abilities, the Badgers confidently took set three 25-15.
The Gophers did not give up easily, staying slightly ahead throughout the entire first half of set four. A kill from Flanagan allowed the Badgers to tie it up at 15.
The Gophers began to pull away with a 4-0 run to go up 19-15, but Wisconsin answered with a 4-0 of their own. The two teams continued to battle it out before another Flanagan kill gave the Badgers the win 25-23.
Badgers pull off a clean sweep
Wisconsin opened up play in Illinois on Oct. 8, battling it out against the Fighting Illini. The Badgers began to pull away early in set one, going on a 7-2 run to go up 13-7.
Wisconsin’s offense shined during this set, recording a match-high 17 kills with a .441 hitting percentage. Illinois started to close out on Wisconsin's towards the end of the match, but the Badgers were able to close it out, with a kill from Auguste to end set one 25-18.
Illinois bounced-back in set two, going up 3-0 immediately. The Badgers responded with a 4-0 run of their own, benefiting from three Illinois attack errors.
The two teams continued trading points throughout the set, but Wisconsin was able to slowly pull away. Illinois trailed closely behind, but a 3-0 run allowed the Badgers to take set two 25-19.
Set three once again started out as a back-and-forth battle, before a 4-0 Wisconsin run sparked by three kills from Champion gave the Badgers an 11-7 lead. Illinois answered later in the set, going on a 4-0 run of their own to tie the game at 20.
The Badgers pulled it together to end the set, with another 3-0 run to end the set 25-22, completing the sweep and marking their fifth Big Ten victory.
Though the Badgers had a shaky start to their season, conference play has allowed them to prove they deserve their spot in the top 10.
Wisconsin’s win streak comes to an end
The Badgers stayed on the road, falling against No. 1 Nebraska (17-0, 6-0) in straight sets on Oct. 10.
Wisconsin had a tough time both offensive and defensively through the match, recording only 36 kills and a season-low 28 digs.
Set one began as a back-and-forth battle, with both teams taking turns with the lead. Nebraska was finally able to pull away late in the set, with a 4-0 run to go up 21-18.
The Badgers tried to catch up, but a kill from outside hitter Harper Murray closed out set one for the Huskers 25-23.
Wisconsin responded in set two, with a 4-0 run to go up 6-4. Nebraska answered with a 4-0 run of their own to take the lead back 8-6.
The Badgers showed their offensive struggles throughout this set, recording only eight kills. The Huskers took advantage of this, pulling away with a 5-0 run later in the set to go up 16-10.
Nebraska kept fueling their offense, and a kill from middle blocker Andi Jackson finished set two 25-14.
The Badgers kept battling it out, refusing to give up in set three. A kill from outside hitter Eva Travis tied the score at 16, before Nebraska started to pull away.
A 3-0 gave the Huskers the momentum they needed to finish the sweep. Wisconsin kept battling, but Nebraska's offense stayed electric, finishing the set 25-20 and giving the Badgers their first conference loss.
Wisconsin will have a bit of a break before hosting unranked Maryland (12-5, 2-4) on Oct. 16. The Badgers will hope to bounce back after this tough loss and gain the momentum to keep winning during conference play.
