(UW ATHLETICS) MADISON — The No. 7 Wisconsin volleyball team took care of business at its own Wisconsin Invite, completing the 2-0 stint with a sweep over Texas A&M, 25-18, 30-28, 25-19, at the UW Field House on Saturday night.
After a back and forth start to begin the match, Wisconsin forced an Aggie timeout in hopes of slowing down a UW 5-0 run, as the Badgers led 12-6. Out of the timeout, Texas A&M ran four-straight points to bring it back within two. The game of runs continued, as the Badgers went on another 5-0 run with three kills from Julia Orzol and two service aces from Devyn Robinson. Texas A&M responded with a 4-0 run, which led to a UW timeout, holding onto a 17-14 lead. Out of the timeout, Wisconsin extended the lead to 20-14 and the Aggies could not overcome it as UW took set one 25-18.
To start the second set, the teams traded points, until Texas A&M inched ahead by three with two kills in a row to grab a 13-10 lead. Orzol went on her own, personal 3-0 run with three kills in a row. Carter Booth and Anna Smrek followed that up with a block, as the Aggies called a timeout trailing 15-14. The Badgers extended their lead, as a kill from Sarah Franklin put them up by four. But the Aggies climbed back to tie it at 22-all. The Badgers fended off five Aggie set points. Franklin took control at the end with back-to-back kills and an ace, as the Badgers took set two 30-28.
The Aggies came out hot in the third set, putting away six kills to take a 7-3 lead. Wisconsin slowly chipped away at the lead, until they tied it up at 14-all. From there UW ran six-straight points with three kills from Orzol and two blocks from CC Crawford. The Aggies scored just five more points, as a kill from Franklin sealed the deal. UW won the set and match, 25-20.
Orzol led the team offensively with 15 kills, her partner on the outside, Franklin, was not far behind with 14 of her own. As a team, the Badgers hit .350 (46 kills – 10 errors – 103 attempts).
The Aggies hit .225 (44 – 17 – 120) as Logan Lednicky tied the match high with 15 kills.
Although she doesn’t serve much, Robinson added two service aces tonight for seven aces this season and career. Lola Schumacher tallied 13 digs, and Franklin added 10 digs for her fourth double-double of the season.
Wisconsin recorded eight total blocks, as Orzol, Carter Booth and Crawford each put down three. Charlie Fuerbringer recorded 39 helpers on the night.
Straight from the court
Head Coach Kelly Sheffield
On Julia’s performance: “I thought our hitters were patient in hitting good shots and working the areas of the court that they felt like they could score, but Oz was really, really great at the net. Like she said the other day, shes at 98% healthy, so we’re getting there.”
Outside hitter Sarah Franklin
On closing out the sets: “I think the end of sets are a time where a lot of us thrive. We are able to just play volleyball, that is our favorite part. It’s right there, it can go one way or the other and it just goes to show how everyone works so hard to get the next ball back. That puts me in a really good position to hit the shots that I need to hit. It’s really a team effort.”
Outside hitter Julia Orzol
On expanding her game: “I feel like I can be more consistent, and I definitely have more control of that. My repertoire got even wider. It’s nice that I feel like I am fully in control and am able to repeat shot after shot. If I see a weakness or if we talk about something before the game, I can go out there and repeat that”
Notes to know
- For the seventh time this season, Wisconsin outblocked its opponent. The Badgers totaled eight against the Aggies, while Texas A&M had just three.
- In back-to-back games, Wisconsin had a hitting percentage over .400. Against the Aggies, Wisconsin hit .431 (46-10-103) and against Troy on Friday the team hit .487 (40-8-77).
- Fifth year Sarah Franklin recorded 14 kills and 10 digs for her fourth double-double of the season for a total of 30 in her career.
- Senior Julia Orzol hit a season-best 15 kills (15-3-32). She also chipped in with four digs, and now just four shy of 1,000 career digs.
Up next
After four matches at home, Wisconsin will hit the road again to play at Minnesota on Wednesday night at 8 pm. The match will be aired on the Big Ten Network.
Comments