(UW ATHLETICS) MILWAUKEE – The No. 6 Wisconsin volleyball team moved to start the season 0-3 as it fell 24-26, 25-18, 22-25, 22-25 to No. 5 Stanford at the State Farm Women’s College Volleyball Showcase at the Fiserv Forum on Monday evening.
The Badgers got rolling early as they jumped out to a 6-2 lead with kills from Carter Booth and Charlie Fuerbringer and two blocks as well. Stanford struggled from behind the serving line early, as it tallied four service errors, but managed to stay within striking distance as the Badgers led 15-14 into the media timeout. The teams traded points back and forth until back-to-back kills from Sarah Franklin forced a Stanford timeout as UW took a 20-18 lead. Out of the timeout Fuerbringer dropped an ace in to push the Badgers ahead by three. A block combo from Trinity Shadd-Ceres and Caroline Crawford gave Wisconsin set point (24-21), but Stanford scored five straight points to take set one 26-24 for the comeback.
After Stanford’s 5-0 run to close out the first set, UW responded with a 5-0 run to open up the second set. Julia Orzol ran five straight serves and capped it off with an ace, as Stanford took an early timeout. The Trees started to chip away at Wisconsin’s lead, but UW continued to dominate, as the team went on a 6-2 run fueled by four kills from Devyn Robinson and her first career ace. Stanford gained some momentum with a 4-0 run to bring it within six (15-9) and prompt a UW timeout. But the Badgers didn’t let off the gas and maintained a stable lead, sharing the offensive love, and another service ace from Robinson. UW took the second set 25-18.
Two straight kills from Franklin off the ba to begin the third sett, propelled the Badgers to an early 5-2 lead. Stanford fought back to take a 6-5 lead and didn’t trail from there. The teams went point for point until back-to-back aces for Stanford pushed them ahead by four (16-12). UW rallied back to tie it at 21-all. Despite eight kills from Franklin in the set, Wisconsin couldn’t pull it out as Stanford took set three, 25-22.
Once again, UW took control early with a 3-0 lead. It was a tight back and forth battle, until Stanford went on a 6-0 run, including three service aces in a row, for a 16-10 lead. After three service errors from Stanford, the Badgers were back within four (18-14) as Stanford took a timeout. Out of the timeout, Stanford was met at the net with a block from CC Crawford, to start a 4-1 run to make it a one point game at 19-18. Stanford didn’t give in, despite a Badger run towards the end. Stanford took the final set 25-22 and the match, 3-1.
For the third match in a row, Franklin led the Badgers with 18 kills. Additionally, the six-foot-four outside hitter also led the squad with 11 digs, to record her first double-double of the season. As a team, UW hit .341 (51 kills – 9 errors – 123 attempts).
Outside hitter Elia Rubin was the leading hitter for Stanford with a match-high 20 kills. Collectively, the team hit .316 (60 – 17 – 136).
Charlie Fuerbringer put up 39 assists. Robinson collected her first career ace, and more as she tallied three aces along with her teammate Julia Orzol.
Wisconsin recorded 7.0 blocks, compared to Stanford’s 2.0 blocks. CC Crawford led the team with four blocks.
Head coach Kelly Sheffield
On the freshmen adjusting: “I thought Lola Schumacher and Saige Damrow have done a really good job and Trinity has had her moments. She’s fighting like crazy to try and keep her head above water right now. I think the biggest crowd she’s ever played in front of was seven. These are some pretty big stages against some pretty big teams. I think Charlie has gotten better each set or each match.”
Middle blocker Carter Booth
On battling back from the losses: “My dad said something to me recently that sort of stood out to me. ‘Losing is easy, winning is hard.’ Losing and winning is not just about the match that happens out there. It’s about our mindset within that match, our mindset after how we attack the gym after. It’s easy to lose. It’s easy for us to hang our heads and just say ‘Well, shucks. We suck.’ It’s hard to win that battle. It’s hard to get back in the gym. It’s hard to keep our heads held high and still have hope for this team. And I feel like this team is doing the hard things. We like hard things.”
Notes to know
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This marks the first time Wisconsin has started the season 0-3 since 1990.
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Fifth year senior Devyn Robinson recorded her first career service ace. She totaled three in the match.
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With 18 kills and 11 digs, outside hitter Sarah Franklin tallied her 27th career double-double.
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Freshman Lola Schumacher earned her first collegiate start of the season.
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Stanford now owns a 6-0 record overall against the Badgers.
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Both teams combined for 29 service errors. Stanford had 18 service errors, while Wisconsin had 11.
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Freshman setter Charlie Fuerbringer recorded five kills, 29 assists, and six digs.
Up next: The Badgers remain on the road as they head to Waco, Texas for the Big Ten/Big 12 Challenge next weekend. UW is slated to play TCU on Friday at 4 pm and No. 23 Baylor on Saturday at 7 pm. The matches will be streamed on ESPN+.
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