(UW COMMUNICATIONS) MADISON -The No. 8 Wisconsin volleyball team returned to the UW Field House for its home opener, sweeping Milwaukee 25-13, 25-13, 25-14 Tuesday night.
Back with their beloved fans, the Badgers (3-3) put on a show in the first set. Wisconsin jumped out to a 7-2 lead, backed by three kills from Devyn Robinson. Julia Orzol and CC Crawford went on their own 8-1 run with a combination of an ace from Orzol, three kills from each player and a block from Crawford, as the Badgers took a commanding 17-4 lead. The Panthers (3-4) went on a quick 3-0 run to bring it back within 10, but UW responded with force, including back-to-back blocks from Carter Booth and Robinson, as the Badgers led 23-9. Milwaukee rattled off four more points, but Wisconsin finished the set with two kills to win it 25-13.
Picking up right where they left off, Wisconsin quickly rattled off three service aces, establishing a 5-1 lead to start the second set. Wisconsin continued to roll offensively, as Robinson, Crawford and Orzol tallied three kills in a row to force a Panthers timeout. Milwaukee got as close as seven, but was unable to crack the UW lead. Once again, the Badgers won the second set 25-13.
The Panthers stayed with the Badgers for the start of the final set, but it didn’t take long for Wisconsin to hit their stride and go on a run. Milwaukee stayed within striking distance, in fact, pulled it within three (12-9). But UW, again, rattled off three straight kills to grab a seven point lead. Milwaukee sided out, but back-to-back kills from Orzol, followed by an ace from Lola Schumacher had the Field House rocking. The Badgers went on a 10-2 run to finish it off, as UW took the set and the match 25-14.
Back at the outside hitter position after recovering from injury, senior Julia Orzol led the way offensively with 14 kills and a new career high hitting percentage of .684. Robinson was right behind her with 13, to round out double figure kills. As a team, Wisconsin hit .387 (48 kills – 12 errors – 93 attempts).
The Badgers held Milwaukee to just .049 (20 – 15 – 102), as Bri Geurts led the team with six kills.
Fuerbringer put up 35 assists, and added 10 digs for a double-double on the night. Freshman libero Lola Schumacher led the team with 16 digs.
As a team, UW tallied eight service aces, as Franklin highlighted the night with three of her own. UW outblocked Milwaukee 10.0 – 2.0, with Crawford putting up six total blocks
Straight from the court
Head Coach Kelly Sheffield
On how the team handled a hectic week: “I really liked our effort tonight. The backcourt was flying around, scrambling, keeping the ball off the floor. We were transitioning and working, that was certainly one of the goals today. It was a really short turnaround, going from ten sets in 30 hours, plenty of travel, and the first days of school. We weren’t sure what we were going to get, but as the season goes on you start to establish a personality and what we stand for. I was happy to see us get out there on the court, playing hard, and playing together.”
On the newcomers: “We had four players tonight who had their first regular season match in the Field House. One of the things we talked about was how it never gets old, and the players who have been here for 3 or 4 years nodded their head in agreement. Everyone who was out there for the first time was working for it. There are no freebies here.”
Middle blocker CC Crawford
On executing the game plan: A lot of the trust is in the whole team. Charlie has been doing a good job moving the ball around and trusting each other so that’s something we’ve been working on in practice. One of our keys tonight was to establish the middle to open up for the pins, and I think we executed that really well.
Outside hitter Julia Orzol
On being back in the Field House: I was just dominated by joy, to be honest. We were talking about how it doesn’t matter how many first nights you have in the Field House or first games of the season, you always feel so good. I was just trying to soak it in and it’s always so good to be at home and be around this community.
Notes to know
- For a fourth time in a row, Devyn Robinson recorded double-digit kills with 13 against the Panthers. She also hit a season-high .455 (13-3-22).
- Senior Julia Orzol recorded a career-high .648 (14-119) hitting percentage, in addition to a season-high 14 kills.
- Badgers held Milwaukee to a .049 (20-15-102) hitting percentage. This marks the first time this season Wisconsin held a team under .100.
- Outside hitter Sarah Franklin had three aces, a new season-high.
- Freshman setter, Charlie Fuerbringer, recorded her fourth double-double tonight with 35 assists and 10 digs.
- Freshman Lola Schumacher got her second-straight start at Libero, and recorded 16 digs for a third-straight double-digit total.
- The Badgers improve to 26-5 all-time against the Panthers.
Up next
The Badgers will head into a week break leading up to the Kohl Center Classic next Tuesday night against Marquette. First serve at the Kohl Center is set for 7 p.m. and the match will be aired on the Big Ten Network.
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