(UW ATHLETICS) MADISON –
The No. 6 Wisconsin volleyball team fell to the No. 21 Washington Huskies in five sets (25-20, 25-27, 25-21, 18-25, 16-18) on Friday night at the UW Field House.
Despite the setback, freshman Decelise Champion earned her second career double-double, tying her career high with 20 kills and adding 11 digs. Freshman Audrey Flanagan also added 15 kills and 11 digs for a double-double of her own. Junior Jaela Auguste added 12 kills, while Eva Travis and Lynney Tarnow each chipped in 10.
Junior setter Charlie Fuerbringer surpassed the 3,000-career assist mark against the Huskies, matching her season best for the second match in a row with 55. The junior also added 17 digs.
The Badgers (13-6, 7-2) started strong in the first set, using a pair of 3-0 grooves highlighted by back-to-back kills from Travis early. Wisconsin quickly expanded on its 15-10 edge, claiming four of the next five points behind a strong showing from Natalie Wardlow from the service line. The middle blocker tallied two aces in that frame.
The Huskies (15-3, 6-3) provided a quick 4-0 response of their own, but the Badgers bounced back, claiming the set 25-20 thanks to a late kill from Fuerbringer and a service error.
Washington set out to an early advantage in the second set, but the Badgers quickly charged back with a pair of 4-0 runs. Auguste proved to be a standout, turning in back-to-back kills. The Huskies, however, were able to utilize a strong serve and quality defense to push the second frame into extra points, claiming it 27-25 behind a 6-1 run.
It remained a back-and-forth affair in the third set up until the final points. Wisconsin found separation late with an 8-3 run capped off by a kill turned in by Auguste won the set, 25-21. An ace and subsequent one-arm dig kill from Fuerbringer in the process helped lift Wisconsin to the 2-1 advantage.
In the fourth set, Washington used a .500 hitting percentage in comparison to Wisconsin’s .275 performance to power to a 25-18 set victory and level the match at two sets apiece – forcing a fifth set.
The Badger freshmen powered a Wisconsin push in the fifth and final frame, combining for nine kills, but the Huskies used a strong serving performance as the match concluded with an ace.
The loss marks the Badgers first on home court this season, falling to 7-1 in matches played at Field House.
Notes:
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Wisconsin moves to 3-7 all-time against Washington and 1-3 when playing in Madison with the loss to the Huskies.
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The Badgers move to 3-1 in five-set matches.
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Entering the match, Wisconsin was 7-0 when playing at the UW Field House, and with tonight’s loss, the Huskies break UW’s seven-match home win streak moving the team to 7-1.
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Setter Charlie Fuerbringer recorded her eighth double-double, 25th career, with a 55 assist and 17 dig performance. Her 55-assist performance also puts Fuerbringer over the 3,000-career assist total.
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Freshman Decelise Champion totaled 20 kills on 54 swings for her sixth match, fourth-straight with double-figure kills. The 20 kills matches a career-best, last accomplished against Marquette on September 17. Champion also recorded her third double-double of the season adding 11 digs.
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Libero Anna Bardaro totaled 19 digs for her 14th match with double-figure digs.
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Outside hitter Audrey Flanagan achieved a double-double second of her career with a 15 kill, 11 dig performance.
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For the second time this season, Wisconsin had five players with double-figure kill totals; Champion led the team with 20, Flanagan with 15, Jaela Auguste totaled 12, while Eva Travis and Lynney Tarnow each collected 10. This was last achieved against Marquette on September 17.
Up Next: Wisconsin continues its weekend at home, welcoming the Michigan Wolverines to the Field House on Sunday, Oct. 25. First serve is slated for noon with the match airing on FS1.
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