The Wisconsin Badgers volleyball team took care of Rutgers and ran their undefeated record up to 16 straight wins. This group has matched their best start to a season since 2020 and has run their set win streak up to 24 straight sets dating back to their reverse sweep of the Florida Gators. The No. 1 ranked Badgers look to continue their run with another Big Ten opponent in Maryland.
and to all a good Knight!
see you Sunday, Badger fans! pic.twitter.com/jgSYQUvEQi
— Wisconsin Volleyball (@BadgerVB) October 14, 2023
Wisconsin Badgers Have Some Injuries
During the match against Rutgers, there were two notable absences for Badgers Volleyball. MJ Hammill and Devyn Robinson were both absent, leaving them without one of their big hitters in Robinson. On their absence, Coach Kelly Sheffield had one thing to say: “I think one of the things we pride ourselves in as a team is responding to whatever it is. When things don’t go our way, you gotta go to plan B or C, and that’s what the team is for. It’s probably not a real big deal with our team, although you’re losing two really talented players, and everyone did their role and did what we do.”
Maryland comes into face the talented Badgers team 13-6 on the season, 3-4 in Big Ten play. They’re coming off back-to-back losses against Indiana and Northwestern. They rank 7th in the Big Ten in hitting percentage at .238 with Eva Rohrbach leading the way at .382 with 112 kills.
Badgers Volleyball by the Numbers
With the absence of Robinson and Hammill, Anna Smrek was pressed into her first action serving on the season. She recorded a career-high two aces. Smrek is known for her offensive prowess, hitting .424 on the season, second to Carter Booth on the Badgers, and second in the Big Ten.
First serve of the season @anna_smrekk? EZ MONEY pic.twitter.com/SC8rPAuUBu
— Wisconsin Volleyball (@BadgerVB) October 14, 2023
Badgers volleyball held Rutgers down in their most recent match to hitting .079. They’ve held opponents to a .149 hitting percentage on the season, second-best in the Big Ten. They’ll see a slight test with Maryland as they look to hold the Badgers offense down with their .191 opponent’s hitting percentage and third-best in the Big Ten in blocks at 2.72 per set.
