Wisconsin volleyball ‘dominated by joy’ in sweep of No. 3 Penn State
Sarah Franklin, Anna Smrek and Caroline Crawford spoke to the media following the Badgers’ sweep of Penn State Saturday at the UW Field House.
The Wisconsin vs Nebraska doubleheader ends with volleyball taking center stage Saturday night.
After the Badgers-Cornhuskers football teams do battle in the afternoon at Memorial Stadium, the highly ranked volleyball teams square off down the road on campus in Lincoln, Nebraska.
And it doesn’t get any bigger in women’s volleyball than Wisconsin and Nebraska. The Big Ten rivals and national powers will meet for a second time this season with a lot at stake.
Wisconsin (21-5, 15-2 Big Ten), ranked sixth in the most recent American Volleyball Coaches Association top 25 poll, will look to exact some revenge after Nebraska swept the Badgers earlier this month in Madison. It was Wisconsin’s first and only home loss of the season. A win will also keep the Badgers’ Big Ten title hopes alive.
Nebraska (27-1, 17-0) is on a march toward perfection in the Big Ten and another conference championship. The Cornhuskers, ranked No. 2 nationally, haven’t lost at home this season and are poised for a top seed again in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
Here’s how to watch Wisconsin vs Nebraska, part II.
Wisconsin volleyball vs Nebraska time today
- Date: Saturday, Nov. 23
- Time: 7 p.m.
What channel is Wisconsin volleyball vs Nebraska on today? TV, live stream
How can I listen to Wisconsin volleyball vs Nebraska on the radio?
Wisconsin vs Nebraska volleyball prediction
As winners of its last six matches, Wisconsin has found its groove. The Badgers showed their fight in rallying for a wild five-set win over Minnesota earlier this week and before that gave Penn State its first Big Ten loss of the season last Saturday.
Can UW now give Nebraska its first conference loss? The Cornhuskers might just be too good in 2024 and will avoid the upset. Nebraska has won 24 straight matches since its lone defeat on Sept. 3, and with another victory it’ll get closer to a second straight Big Ten championship. Few Big Ten teams have even come close to beating Nebraska this season. The Cornhuskers have 13 sweeps in their 17 conference victories.
One of those 3-0 match wins came against Wisconsin three weeks ago. Kelly Sheffield’s team won’t be swept again, but the Cornhuskers will outlast the Badgers in a hard-fought five-set match before a sold-out crowd at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.
Wisconsin volleyball schedule
- Wednesday, Nov. 27, 7:30 p.m. CT, vs. Ohio State
- Saturday, Nov. 30, 8 p.m. CT, vs. Michigan State
After its showdown against Nebraska, the Badgers return home for their final two matches of the regular season. And Wisconsin will be the heavy favorite against both Ohio State and Michigan State, two teams well under .500 in the Big Ten. Fans will get to see seniors Carly Anderson, CC Crawford, Devyn Robinson, Sarah Franklin, Anna Smrek and Julia Orzol play at the UW Field House one last time before the NCAA Tournament.
Big Ten volleyball standings
- Nebraska (27-1 overall, 17-0 Big Ten)
- Penn State (26-2, 16-1)
- Wisconsin (21-5, 15-2)
- Purdue (22-6, 13-4)
- Oregon (20-6, 12-5)
- USC (19-8, 11-6)
- Illinois (18-9, 10-7)
- Minnesota (17-10, 10-7)
- Washington (19-7, 9-7)
- Michigan (17-11, 7-10)
- UCLA (12-13, 6-10)
- Indiana (12-14, 5-11)
- Ohio State (12-14, 5-11)
- Maryland (13-15, 4-13)
- Michigan State (11-17, 4-13)
- Iowa (10-19, 4-13)
- Northwestern (5-20, 3-14)
- Rutgers (5-23, 0-17)