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Wisconsin volleyball loses to No. 6 Louisville in season opener

Vaseline August 28, 2024

For the first time in nine years, the Wisconsin volleyball team opened the season with a loss.

The Badgers, ranked No. 3 in the country by the American Volleyball Coaches Association, lost 3-1 to No. 6 Louisville on Tuesday night during the AVCA First Serve Showcase at the KFC Yum Center in Louisville.

Senior outside hitter Sarah Franklin finished with 17 kills and senior right-side/middle blocker Anna Smrek had 12 kills in the 18-25, 25-17, 26-24, 25-20 loss. Those two players were 1-2 on the team in swings with 60 and 31, respectively, but Franklin hit .183 and Smrek hit .161.

Overall, the Badgers hit .179, including .079 in the final set.

Wisconsin even outhit the Cardinals (.166), but suffered 17 service errors and 21 attack errors.

“I would say we were sloppy,” UW coach Kelly Sheffield said on the Badger Radio Network postgame show. “I’m definitely looking forward to watching the film and cleaning up some things. I didn’t think we were very good in endgame situations. I think the last three points we saw, the ball was just going down the floor instead of covering the offense.”

After winning the first set, UW found itself on the wrong end of a 6-0 run that gave the Cardinals a 20-14 lead en route to a second set win. The third set was tied at 21, 23, 24. The Badgers served with a chance to set up set point, but were unable to capitalize.

And in the fourth set, the Cardinals scored the final four points to end a thrilling set.

UW got a near double-double from senior Devyn Robinson, who finished with eight kills and tied a career-high with 10 blocks. Setter Charlie Fuerbringer, one of four freshmen playing, finished with 42 assists in her college debut.

“I think Charlie will really benefit from going back and watching the film,” Sheffield said. “It will be very, very helpful for her and that’s one of the great things about playing a game like this. You can just take so much out of it.”

The challenges continue for the Badgers into Labor Day weekend. On Sunday, they play top-seeded and reigning national champion Texas at Fiserv Forum. On Monday, UW plays No. 5 Stanford.