In a four-set showdown, the top-ranked Wisconsin Badgers Volleyball team emerged triumphant over Marquette with scores of 28-26, 20-25, 26-24, and 25-18, leaving their stamp at the Fiserv Forum on Wednesday night. What made this victory even more special was the attendance of 17,037 spectators, a groundbreaking figure, creating an NCAA record for the highest-attended women’s sporting event in Wisconsin and the largest regular-season indoor clash.

Match point

Set 4
UW 24
MU 18 pic.twitter.com/SObU1Vxyya

— Wisconsin Volleyball (@BadgerVB) September 14, 2023

Badgers Volleyball by the Numbers

The nature of this match was evident right from the first frame, with 16 ties and 7 lead changes. Despite Marquette’s early momentum, Wisconsin’s grit shone through, especially during the pivotal moments of the third set.

The evening was marked by plenty of spectacular performances, with Anna Smrek and Sarah Franklin leading the charge with 15 kills each. Franklin clinched her 1,000th career kill during the first set, making it 25-24. The Badgers unfortunately recorded their lowest hitting percentage of the season at .244. It wouldn’t matter, as they held the Golden Eagles down to under .100.

Julia Orzol, their Libero, set a new personal record with a whopping 23 digs, while MJ Hammill delivered a double-double: 14 digs coupled with 25 assists.

Head Coach Kelly Sheffield, reflecting on the match, said, “We made great charges down the stretch of each of set 1, set 2 and set 3, and won two of those. OUr team did not give up on themselves in those moments. We were playing from behind all three of those first sets. Then I thought our offense got going the latter part of set three and into set four. Our hitters were working harder, and Marquette was forcing us to do that.”

Did somebody say comeback kids? pic.twitter.com/ToTt2qWzgm

— Wisconsin Volleyball (@BadgerVB) September 14, 2023

Wisconsin Badgers Notes and Numbers

Izzy Ashburn was crowned ace queen for the Badgers with the first point in the third set, passing Margie Kaminski (1984-1987).

Saige Damrow, a Freshman, made her college debut serving in the second set.

Anna Smrek recorded a season-high 15 kills, and Sarah Franklin recorded her 7th game of double-digit kills with 15.

Talk your talk SMREK @anna_smrekk

Set 4
UW 19
MU 12 pic.twitter.com/j9BeUzeKJv

— Wisconsin Volleyball (@BadgerVB) September 14, 2023