Wisconsin

Wisconsin volleyball relies on offensive balance, big block to make quick work of Troy

Published

3 months ago

September 21, 2024

Press Room

Wisconsin volleyball relies on offensive balance, big block to make quick work of Troy

MADISON – Tuesday was Sarah Franklin’s night. Friday night balance ruled the day for the Wisconsin volleyball team.

Five players recorded double-digit attacks in a sweep of Troy that was played in front of an announced crowd of 7,229 at the UW Field House. That balance fueled a season-high hitting percentage of .416 for the seventh-ranked Badgers, who won 25-18, 25-13, 25-14 to score their fifth straight match and raise their record to 5-3.

Senior Anna Smrek led the Badgers in kills (10) and blocks (a season-high seven), while hitting .412, which just missed her season high for hitting percentage. Devyn Robinson, another senior, added eight kills, six blocks and a season-high .700 hitting percentage.

Franklin, who set a program record with 33 kills in a four-set victory over Marquette on Tuesday, finished the night with nine kills, 10 digs and a .333 hitting percentage.

Whereas Franklin had 60 swings Tuesday. Friday she led the team with 18 and was one of five Badgers with at least 10 swings.

The growing diversity of UW’s offense should help it in the big picture of the season.

“I feel like it just builds trust on our team that anyone can get it done and anyone can pop off any night like Tank popped off the other night with 33 kills, which is just amazing,” Robinson said. “Tonight, was a little more even. I feel like that is what makes us strong, that we have more than jst one go-to hitter who can put it away.”

Freshman setter Charlie Fuerbringer, who missed the Marquette match due to a right leg injury, returned and finished with 36 assists and helped the Badgers hit at least .321 in each set.

Wisconsin coach Kelly Sheffield noted that the freshman wasn’t able to practice much this week.

“It was a little bit rusty, but it’s nice to say your setter is a little bit rusty when you’re hitting over .400,” he said. “I guess that’s a good problem to have.”

Wisconsin also had a season high 12 ½ blocks, while its eight aces were its second-highest total of the season.

Troy, which is picked to finish second in the Sun Belt West, dropped to 5-4 and was held to a .057 hitting percentage, its second lowest of the season and the lowest for a UW opponent. One of the Trojans’ top players is junior setter Janelle Stuempfig, who finished with 12 assists.

The first set was not only the closest of the match but also the most competitive. The score was tied 13-13 when junior Gulce Guctekin served six straight points to break open the set. Robinson and senior Julia Orzol had two kills during the run.

The next two sets were marked by fast starts by Wisconsin.

In the second, the Badgers scored 10 of the first 12 points with Smrek and senior Caroline Crawford getting two blocks and a kill during that stretch. In the third, UW also led, 10-2, but this time the run was marked by balance as five players scored kills during that stretch led by Smrek’s three.

It made for a quick evening for UW. The match took just one hour, 18 minutes, just 2 minutes longest than the team’s shortest match of the year (UWM).

It’s a good thing because the Badgers will be back in action at the Field House at 7 p.m. Saturday against Texas A&M, which is 8-0.

“I feel like we went in and did our jobs and luckily we got it done quick so now it’s time for us to recover and get ready for Texas A&M,” Robinson said. “That’s all there is to it really, just get ready for the next team because we’ve got a pretty good team tomorrow night.”

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Wisconsin

Better Know A Badger – 2025 four-star lineman Hardy Watts

Published

7 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Better Know A Badger – 2025 four-star lineman Hardy Watts

MADISON, Wis. – It turned out that Luke Fickell had no reason to worry.

The University of Wisconsin head coach was hopeful that the results on the field wouldn’t cause members of his highly ranked third recruiting class to start rethinking their commitment or, worse yet, reopen their decision-making process entirely.

From the time the Badgers’ 2024 season ended without a bowl game for the first time in 23 years to the first day of the early signing period, Wisconsin’s staff only saw one prospect de-commit. Twenty-three kids signed paperwork to join Fickell’s program, a class that ranks 20th in the Rivals.com rankings with 10 four-star recruits from eight different states.

“To see guys not waver,” Fickell said. “That faith and belief that the games and what you see on Saturday isn’t everything. For those guys to hold with us and believe in us … relationships, trust, and belief in this process still win out.”

Adding depth to the offensive line, we look at the signing of Brookline (MA) Dexter’s Hardy Watts and how his addition improves the program.

Stats

Watts worked all over the offensive line during his high school career, but he spent this past season working primarily at right tackle. It was a position that his school needed him to play and the spot where he felt the most comfortable. It benefited him, as Watts earned all-conference recognition.

“I think I improved my chemistry and my ability to work as part of a unit, rather than making plays and flashy blocks,” Watts said. “I was learning the footwork of certain types of blocking and steps. I really refined what was already there and brought it back to working as part of a unit, making sure I am not messing up any assignments, and consistency.”

Recruiting Competition

The 17th commitment in Wisconsin’s 2025 class, Watts committed to the Badgers over a top group that included Clemson and Michigan. Watts also had two dozen offers from Power-Four schools like Alabama, Georgia, Miami, Penn State, Tennessee, and Texas A&M.

“There were a few schools that never stopped pursuing me,” Watts said. “They were some new schools that came forward with an offer, but I just politely declined, explained to them the situation that I was locked in and wasn’t going anywhere.”

Recruiting Story

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Wisconsin

Wisconsin Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for Dec. 24, 2024

Published

15 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Wisconsin Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for Dec. 24, 2024

The Wisconsin Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 24, 2024, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from Dec. 24 drawing

11-14-38-45-46, Mega Ball: 03, Megaplier: 3

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 24 drawing

Midday: 7-9-6

Evening: 2-0-2

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Dec. 24 drawing

Midday: 9-8-7-5

Evening: 6-3-7-0

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning All or Nothing numbers from Dec. 24 drawing

Midday: 03-04-06-07-09-10-14-16-17-18-19

Evening: 02-05-07-08-12-13-17-18-19-20-21

Check All or Nothing payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Badger 5 numbers from Dec. 24 drawing

05-19-22-23-24

Check Badger 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning SuperCash numbers from Dec. 24 drawing

02-03-06-30-31-34, Doubler: N

Check SuperCash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Prizes up to $599: Can be claimed at any Wisconsin Lottery retailer.
Prizes from $600 to $199,999: Can be claimed in person at a Lottery Office. By mail, send the signed ticket and a completed claim form available on the Wisconsin Lottery claim page to: Prizes, PO Box 777 Madison, WI 53774.
Prizes of $200,000 or more: Must be claimed in person at the Madison Lottery office. Call the Lottery office prior to your visit: 608-261-4916.

Can Wisconsin lottery winners remain anonymous?

No, according to the Wisconsin Lottery. Due to the state’s open records laws, the lottery must, upon request, release the name and city of the winner. Other information about the winner is released only with the winner’s consent.

When are the Wisconsin Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
Super Cash: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 3 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 3 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 4 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 4 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
All or Nothing (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
All or Nothing (Evening): 9 p.m. CT daily.
Megabucks: 9:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Badger 5: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Wisconsin editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Wisconsin

Wisconsin RB enters transfer portal. NCAA waiver gives senior another year of eligibility

Published

23 hours ago

December 24, 2024

Press Room

Wisconsin RB enters transfer portal. NCAA waiver gives senior another year of eligibility

MADISON – A recent court ruling has opened the door for former junior college players to gain another year of NCAA eligibility.

It appears that Tawee Walker is going to take advantage of the opportunity.

According to On3, Wisconsin’s senior running back will enter the transfer portal in search of a home for next season. The news came one day after the NCAA approved a blanket waiver granting one more year of eligibility to athletes who competed at a non-NCAA school for one or more years and would have otherwise exhausted their eligibility during the 2024-25 school year.

Walker fits the bill. He played the the 2021 season at Palomar College. a junior college in San Marcos, California, before competing for Oklahoma in 2022 and ’23 and Wisconsin this season. The NCAA counts his junior college season towards his four years of college eligibility.

The waiver stems from a case brought forward by Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia. A Tennessee court ruled that counting the two seasons he played at a junior college toward his NCAA eligibility violated the Sherman Antitrust Act.

Walker, a 5-foot-9, 218-pound Las Vegas native, led the Badgers with 864 yards in 190 carries, a 4.5-yard average, and scored 10 touchdowns.

He begin the season sharing the No. 1 tailback role with Chez Mellusi and blossomed after Mellusi took what proved to be a permanent leave Oct. 3.

As Wisconsin’s primary ball carrier Walker ran for 718 yards in 152 carries, a 4.7-yard average, with nine touchdowns.

His best stretch was a three-game run against Purdue, Rutgers and Northwestern when he gained 418 yards in 66 carries, a 6.3-yard average, and scored six times.

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