Defending Champs Start Season Off with Win

FORT WORTH, Texas –– A dominating performance at the net led the third-ranked Wisconsin volleyball team to a 25-11, 25-18, 25-16 win over TCU at the Big 12/Big Ten Challenge on Friday night.

Sophomore transfer Sarah Franklin stole the show for Wisconsin, putting away a team-high 12 kills and hitting .407 (12 kills – 1 error – 27 attempts).  Sophomore Julia Orzol added eight kills while Devyn Robin (5 kills) and Anna Smrek (4 kills) also contributed offensive. 

With Wisconsin’s high-powered offense and impressive blocking, the Badgers were able to dominate the match.

UW hit .337 (32-12-83) while holding TCU to a .028 hitting percentage (31-28-106). The Badgers outblocked the Horned Frogs 14.0 – 1.0. Smrek recorded a career-high nine blocks to lead all players while Robinson stopped seven shots and Caroline Crawford added six blocks.

The Badgers debuted a 6-2 offense for the season with Izzy Ashburn putting up a career-high 16 assists and MJ Hammill adding eight helpers at setter.

Hammill was also one of three Badgers to record two service aces, joining Ashburn and freshman Gulce Guctekin in scoring from the service line. Wisconsin outscored TCU 8-1 in service aces. Guctekin also earned the start at libero, recording a match-high 12 digs.

Straight from the court

Head Coach Kelly Sheffield
 
“Today was a good first match.  I mean they won and the team hit over .300, which is certainly a goal for every time we play.  We kept them under .100 defensively which is pretty solid.” 
 
“Baylor will be a fun match tomorrow.  It’s two teams that graduated a lot and  have a lot of newer pieces for both teams that are coming together. Both teams are super talented, should be fun.” 

Notes to Know

• Wisconsin improves to 35-14 all-time in season openers, including a 7-2 road record.
• The Badgers have now won 13-straight matches dating back to the 2021 season. 
• Seeing their first action in the Cardinal and White were Caroline Crawford, Sarah Franklin and Gulce Guctekin. Franklin led UW with 12 kills while Guctekin had a match-high 12 digs. Crawford stopped six blocks while adding one kill and one assist.
• Three Badgers recorded personal bests in the season opener. Setter Izzy Ashburn had a career-high 16 assists while setter MJ Hammill recorded a career-best two service aces. Sophomore Anna Smrek stopped a career-high nine blocks.

 Up next

The Badgers continue competition in the Big Ten-Big 12 Challenge as they face  No. 10 Baylor on Saturday at 4 p.m. The match can be heard on WIBA 1310AM.