Wisconsin Volleyball Rallies Past Minnesota in Thrilling Five-Set Match
MADISON, Wis. – In a thrilling matchup on Wednesday night, the sixth-ranked Wisconsin volleyball team staged a dramatic comeback to defeat the No. 16 Minnesota Gophers, winning 25-21, 12-25, 22-25, 25-20, 20-18. The victory took place at the UW Field House and marked a significant win for the Badgers, who avenged a previous five-set loss to the Gophers on September 25.
Leading the charge for Wisconsin, Sarah Franklin delivered an impressive performance with 19 kills, while towering teammates Anna Smrek and Carter Booth each added six block assists. Smrek, standing 6-9, and Booth at 6-7, were instrumental in the final moments of the match, which saw the Gophers initially leading 16-15 in the decisive fifth set. However, Wisconsin’s defense shone through in the clutch, sealing the win with four consecutive points from blocks.
Minnesota’s McKenna Wucherer played a critical role in the match, tying the final set at 18-18 with a pivotal kill. Unfortunately for the Gophers, the Badgers responded swiftly, taking control to secure their 21st win of the season, improving their record to 21-5 overall and 15-2 in the Big Ten Conference. The Gophers fell to 17-10, with a 10-7 mark in conference play, and continued to struggle in Madison, where they have not won since 2018.
Julia Orzol complemented Franklin’s efforts with 14 kills for the Badgers. On the Gophers’ side, Lydia Grote led her team with 17 kills, while standout Julia Hanson added 20 kills, marking her 10th consecutive match with double-digit kills. This latest victory marks Wisconsin’s ninth win in the last eleven encounters with Minnesota.
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