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WSUM Sports Roundtable: After further review, UW volleyball is unbeaten no more. What now?

  • Post Author
    by Sports director
  • Post Date
    Wed Oct 25 2023

By: WSUM Sports Team

Gulce Guctenkin (#21) dives for the ball as the Wisconsin Badgers volleyball team plays against Quinnipiac in the first game of the NCAA regional volleyball tournament hosted in the Field House at the University of Wisconsin–Madison on Dec. 2, 2022. Wisconsin won 3-0. (Photo by Taylor Wolfram / UW–Madison)

The University of Wisconsin's volleyball team dominated the start of this season. Fresh off of a premature exit from last year's NCAA Tournament in the regional final, the Badgers (18-1, 9-1 Big Ten) started the season with an 18-match win streak, their longest to start a season in program history.

On the other hand, the Nebraska Cornhuskers was off to the same start at 18-0. The two teams took the nation's top two spots in the AVCA poll into a showdown in Lincoln, Neb. last Saturday in what would become the most-viewed regular season volleyball match of all time.

Up 2-1, the Badgers had a match point in the fourth set, but they couldn't put it away and it was the Huskers (19-0, 10-0 Big Ten) who would send the fans home happy after a tight fifth 15-13 fifth set victory, their first over UW in 10 tries.

The aftermath: Nebraska now is in sole possession of first place in the Big Ten and now hold the nation's number one distinction. They also are the top team in the NCAA's RPI rankings, with the loss for UW dropping them down to fourth.

So, what now for the Badgers? Is the Big Ten still within their grasp? Here's what the team had to say in the latest WSUM Sports Roundtable, the first of two this week.

What is your reaction to the Badger women's volleyball loss to Nebraska this weekend?

It was disappointing, but it wasn't a bad outing for the Badgers. The nearly forced extra points in a five-set match against the now-No 1. Nebraska Cornhuskers in Lincoln. So, while disappointing, it was a valiant effort. They did lose their number one ranking bragging rights and 10-game winning streak against Nebraska, but they will get another crack at them. Sarah Franklin still had a great night despite the team coming up short. -Jon Green

Sure, it was a disappointing match, and if you just looked at the outcome itself it doesn't look great. However, this outcome is a very promising sign for the Badgers. I, quite frankly, did not think that Wisconsin was going to go into Lincoln and take two sets in one of the most hostile environments in the country, so to be in a position where they should have won the match took me by surprise. The rest of this season is still very much out in front of this team and they are still, in my opinion, the best team in the country. Plus, they will have another shot at Nebraska to end the Big Ten slate on Black Friday. -David Giardino

Though disappointing in terms of outcome, it was an incredibly exciting match. Watching the Badgers come back after a rocky first set, winning two straight sets was great, though they did start to choke in the fourth and fifth sets. The limited amount of court time for Setter MJ Hammill was disappointing, but understood given that she is still recovering from an injury. I think if we played them again, with full strength, the Badgers could definitely take Nebraska. -Dani Savin

It was frustrating to watch. The Badgers did not play the greatest in the first set, but they came back and won the next two and played like they had been throughout the year so dar. The last two sets were very upsetting because they let them come back. But, Nebraska with home court advantage and electric energy from the fans was a big factor in the Husker comeback. -Camryn Fjelstad

My first thought was “oh no we lost.” Then I don't remember my future reaction because I went into a vegetative state of pure despair that left me unconscious to the happenings of other people around me. Like a dying star, I collapsed inwards on myself and entered a new dimension of despair. -Vincent Hesprich

Obviously the anticlimactic ending was disappointing for Badger fans, but overall I thought it was a promising game for the Badgers. Hammill and right side Devyn Robinson were in their first game back from injury, and they played a very competitive match in a hostile environment. Also, a close match helps Wisconsin's argument to remain within the top-3, as avoiding Nebraska's side of the bracket should be a priority for the Wisconsin. -Evan Schmid

Was a very entertaining match which went all five sets, but unfortunately the Badgers got the loss against this Nebraska team. However, they made a lot of great plays and we were able to keep the match close at the very end. They will be back! -Matthew Lodarek

That was heartbreaking. I don't usually get ahead of myself and think we've won before the game ends (I've been conditioned in my fandoms that it is never over until it's over), but once UW got going in set four, I thought they had it. But, the team with the experience was unable to close out the team without it. That, to me, was the most disappointing thing. The team with experience is not supposed to have a passing meltdown in the two most important points in the match. The team with experience is not supposed to pick up a handful of net violations in the deciding fifth set. But, that's what the Badgers did and they're forced to settle for a loss in a match I think they definitely should have won. -Anthony Winker

Do you think Wisconsin women's volleyball still has a shot for the Big Ten title 5-peat?

Absolutely. That's because Wisconsin will get a rematch against Nebraska at home the day after Thanksgiving. The Badgers went 19-1 in the conference last year, so barely losing against one of the best teams in the country is not the end of the world. Wisconsin just has to keep up their dominant ways against the rest of the conference and win that rematch. It is easier said than done, but this team has proven they are capable of it. Their task will now be to focus on the next match ahead and move past their first loss. -Jon Green

They absolutely still have a shot and that is almost definitely still the goal this year. All it takes is for the team to take care of business until the Nebraska match at the Field House and win that. If the Badgers win out, then they split the Big Ten title, plain and simple. -David Giardino

The Badgers absolutely have a shot for the Big Ten title five-peat. One loss is not the beginning of the end, it simply shows there's work to be done. Furthermore, given that the Badgers have only played in a 5-1 for a couple weeks, they did an amazing job. I'm excited to see the rematch at home. -Dani Savin

You bet they do. If they play to the best of their ability, they can crush Nebraska at home. The kind of volleyball that the Badgers showed during the second and third set was exactly how they need to play the rest of the conference season. They do that, and they will be just fine. Those sets were not close. Nebraska played their best volleyball and only won by a small portion, so if the Badgers play their best, they will secure the 5-peat for sure. -Camryn Fjelstad

Wisconsin started the year 18-0, the best start in the history of the school. They won 30 straight sets going into this game and almost beat another undefeated team at their place. Wisconsin proved it can compete with anyone and has the talent to match up with the best while also having another game against Nebraska. So clearly the season is over. Cancel the rest of the games. Ship the banner directly to Lincoln. C'mon Krissy what kind of question is this? Booooooooo!!!! -Vincent Hesprich

They're still absolutely playing for a shot at it. Wisconsin will get their chance for revenge against Nebraska during the final weekend of the regular season. In a Big Ten season where the conference middle tier is comparatively weak to past seasons, it may just be necessary to not lose another game before then though. A one-loss Big Ten champ is rare but not unheard of. After all, the Badgers did it last year. -Evan Schmid

Losing to the No. 2 team is very tough, but with how this season is going and how the team is playing, they are still very capable of winning the title once again. On every set of the Nebraska game, Wisconsin was able to keep up with them, it's just that fate had other ideas. But that's just one game, and there are many more to come. The team still has a great chance to beat Nebraska later this season and then win another consecutive title. -Matthew Lodarek

Without a doubt. These two teams will meet again in the final weekend of the regular season, and this time it is at the Field House. The Big Ten is much weaker this year than it has been in years past, so it is quite plausible that neither team loses again until that match in Madison on Black Friday. Then, if UW is able to get that one, they will get at least a share of the title… good enough to extend that streak. -Anthony Winker

Bonus: What Badger players have stood out to you this season?

Sarah Franklin was questionable to play at all at the beginning this season. Fast forward to now, and she has been one of the most dominant players in the country. She has arguably been Wisconsin's best player with a team leading 248 kills, which is 77 more than second in kills, Anna Smrek. Smrek is another Badger that has stood out and has made great strides this season, having gone from 2.27 K/S in 2022, to 2.55 K/S this season. You can't go without mentioning Julia Orzol, who has shifted to the libero position this season. It was a surprise at the beginning of the year, but the backcourt has become a bit more steady through the season. Orzol leads the team with 233 digs. -Jon Green

I think that Carter Booth and Julia Orzol have been the biggest surprises to me this year. Booth has been absolutely dominant to start the Big Ten slate, and considering she is only a sophomore, the sky's the roof for Carter Booth. And as far as Orzol is concerned, she made one of the hardest transitions a volleyball player could make this year and has handled it like an absolute champ. The Nebraska match was a coming out party for her as she truly went toe to toe with arguably the best libero in the country in Lexi Rodriguez. In my opinion, she has blossomed into the most valuable player on this team and an unbelievable leader. -David Giardino

Carter Booth, MJ Hammil and Sarah Franklin. These three are incredible with the way they work together, whether that means fakes, blocks, etc. Their hit/block percentage has been super strong, with Franklin also showing up with digs in the recent 5-1 formation. -Dani Savin

Sarah Franklin, Carter Booth, Anna Smrek, and CC Crawford have all had a great year so far. The hitting is what will win this team a championship this year, and these four are doing great this year both blocking and hitting. These four are collectively the best on the team, and ranked as some of the best in the Big Ten. -Camryn Fjelstad

Whenever I attend a game at The Field House, I am left in awe by the performance of Vince Nayman, manager for the volleyball team. Nayman is an unbelievable talent and looks like a legend in the making. He delivers the water bottles with ease, collects practice serves better than anyone, and provides a steady presence for the players both on and off the hardwood. UW-Madison really does collect the best talent in the world. -Vincent Hesprich

Carter Booth has been my favorite player to watch this year. The 6-2 isn't the greatest for getting the middles a high amount of swings like the Rettke years, but Booth has quietly been one of the most efficient hitters in the Big Ten and a leader on Wisconsin's offense in Big Ten play. -Evan Schmid

Carter Booth has made the biggest improvement from last season which says a lot considering that she's a sophomore. Her blocking skills are like no other on the team and she keeps everyone in check. From what I see, if she keeps this up, she can be one of the best Wisconsin Badger volleyball players the school has ever had. -Matthew Lodarek

Net violations against Nebraska aside, Caroline Crawford has been having a phenomenal season. She may not be as flashy and get the gaudy numbers that the players around her do, but Wisconsin is undoubtedly a worse team without her. Despite standing just 6'3, small compared to her front row companions most of the time, she is an absolute monster in the middle. Her 1.24 blocks per set are the second-most on the team behind Booth. Lately, she's also been serving and can hold her own in the back row. I hope this team doesn't have to find out what life is like without her because her play in the middle makes Wisconsin a much better team. -Anthony Winker

Contributors: Jon Green, David Giardino, Dani Savin, Evan Schmid, Matthew Lodarek, Anthony Winker, Vincent Hesprich. Questions written by Krissy Birdsall.

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ANNA SMREK ANTHONY WINKER CAMRYN FJELSTAD CAROLINE CRAWFORD CARTER BOOTH DANI SAVIN DAVID GIARDINO EVAN SCHMID JON GREEN JULIA ORZOL LEXI RODRIGUEZ MATTHEW LODAREK NCAA VOLLEYBALL NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS SARAH FRANKLIN VINCE HESPRICH VINCE NAYMAN WISCONSIN BADGERS WSUM SPORTS

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