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Wisconsin volleyball: Badgers overcome first set loss to beat Georgia Tech 3-1, advance to Sweet Sixteen

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Wisconsin volleyball: Badgers overcome first set loss to beat Georgia Tech 3-1, advance to Sweet Sixteen


After letting the opening set slip through their fingers, No. 2 Wisconsin bounced back to win three straight to defeat the No. 7 seed Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 3-1 (25-27, 25-20, 25-23, 25-21) to advance to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament.

Senior outside hitter Sarah Franklin had a huge night for the Badgers, scoring a double-double with 20 kills and 10 digs while hitting .294.

Wisconsin got off to a strong start in the opening set and looked to be cruising over a Georgia Tech team coming off a five-set battle in their first match with Tennessee. Junior middle blocker Carter Booth got started early with some quick kills as UW went up 12-7 to force a GT timeout. Though the Jackets cut the lead to 16-14, the Badgers pushed on to go up 20-15 to force another timeout with another kill from Booth on an overpass.

A block from senior opposite Anna Smrek pushed Wisconsin’s lead to 22-16, but the Jackets seemed to flip a switch from that point on. Suddenly, their defense was able to get block touches and make it harder for UW’s hits to terminate.

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Senior Bianca Bertolino also started a 3-0 service run that featured an ace that cut the lead to 22-19 and forced a timeout from Kelly Sheffield. Outside hitter Tamara Otene then helped tie the set at 23-23 with a kill. The New Zealand native had a match-high 21 kills and was a thorn in UW’s side. Although senior Devyn Robinson set up a UW set point at 25-24, three straight points for Tech helped them take set one and stun the crowd. Otene had seven kills in the opening set.

Wisconsin got off to a quick start in the second set. A great serve from freshman setter Charlie Fuerbringer let senior opposite Anna Smrek get the kill on an overpass to give UW a 9-6 lead. But Tech fought back to go up 12-11 after a kill from Kiwi Otene, forcing a Wisconsin timeout.

The timeout worked as UW went on a 3-0 run to re-take the lead at 14-12, and the lead extended to 18-15. The Tech defenders were swarming, keeping so many balls up, a trait that made them a tough out all season against the top teams in the ACC. Libero Sofia Velez had 11 digs at that point in the night. She finished with 19 while three other Jackets had over 10.

But Velez was struggling at times in the serve receive, and in the second set, Fuerbringer had two straight aces on Velez that gave the Badgers a 22-16 lead that energized the whole arena and gave UW a lead they would not relinquish.

In the third set, UW’s block started to make itself known. Booth and Smrek combined on an early block to put the Badgers up 6-1 and force a GT timeout. Wisconsin had nine blocks at that point on the night, while Smrek finished with nine — making her one shy of a double-double as the 6-foot-9 Canadian had 13 kills in a stellar performance — and Booth had eight.

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The Jackets got back in the frame thanks to a service run from Bertolino. The Argentine had a wicked topspin serve that helped GT cut the lead to 13-11. A service error stopped her mini-run, but she had a touch kill over the fingertips of UW’s huge block to cut the lead to 18-16 and force a timeout from Sheffield.

Bertolino had 17 kills and 17 digs on the night. A kill from Booth then a block from her and Smrek gave UW a 21-18 lead, but the Jackets fought right back to tie the third set 22-22. Smrek then had two straight kills and Fuerbringer had a huge block on Otene to give Wisconsin the 25-23 set win to put the Badgers up 2-1 on the match.

Despite the Jackets’ dogged back row defense, untimely service errors and the Badger block helped beat Georgia Tech. But key players stepped up for Wisconsin in key moments.

Senior Devyn Robinson was able to get a groove on offense off the slide play. In limited rotations, the senior from Ankeny, Iowa had eight kills and no errors on offense with three timely kills in the fourth frame. She and Franklin combined on a huge block that put Wisconsin up 14-11. Booth then was able to convert a kill off a slide play for her tenth kill on the evening, giving UW a 16-14 lead.

But again, the Jackets fought back and tied the fourth set at 20-all and forced a UW timeout. Robinson got a kill from the slide right after the timeout then combined with Fuerbringer on a block to make the score 22-20. Then Frank the Tank closed out the night with three straight kills to close out the match for Wisconsin, helping the Badgers advance to the Sweet Sixteen.

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In each set, the Badgers’ hit percentage steadily increased, and the stars showed up when they were needed the most. That’s a winning recipe even if there are some things to clean up. But Wisconsin’s win means they’ll be dancing for a second weekend — likely heading to Lincoln, Nebraska if the Huskers take care of business in their second-roundg match against Miami.



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Georgia football’s future schedule

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Georgia football’s future schedule


The Georgia Bulldogs have a pretty enticing future schedule. Georgia will some of the nation’s elite college football programs over the years if things go as planned.

The Bulldogs are scheduled to play Power Four schools like NC State, Louisville, Ohio State, Clemson and Florida State over the next decade. Of course, Georgia is also set to continue its annual rivalry with Georgia Tech through the 2037 season.

Georgia’s future schedule is subject to change (including the dates and locations). The biggest factor impacting UGA’s future nonconference schedule is if the SEC expands to nine conference game. The SEC currently plays eight conference games with one permanent opponent.

Georgia’s permanent SEC opponent is the Florida Gators. The Georgia-Florida schedule will be held in different locations starting in 2026 due to stadium major renovations taking place in Jacksonville.

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Conference realignment can also always impact future schedules. Since this article focuses on Georgia’s future schedule, we don’t have UGA’s 2025 schedule included. If you wish to look at Georgia’s 2025 schedule, then we’ve included it below.

Georgia football’s 2025 schedule

As of late March, 2025 Georgia and the SEC don’t know the 2026 conference schedule, so Georgia’s entire future schedule revolves around nonconference games. Remember, Georgia is still guaranteed to play Florida every year.

What opponents does Georgia football have scheduled for the future?

2026 schedule

  • Sept. 12: Western Kentucky (home)
  • Sept. 19: Louisville Cardinals (away)
  • Nov. 28: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (home)

Georgia and the SEC still have an eight-game conference schedule, so UGA could add a nonconference game in 2026 or maybe the SEC will expand to nine-game conference slate.

2027 schedule

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  • Sept. 4: Florida State Seminoles (away)
  • Sept. 18: Louisville Cardinals (home)
  • Nov. 27: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (away)

If Georgia’s schedule remains as it currently is in 2027, then the Dawgs would face three ACC opponents and (at least) 11 Power Four opponents during the regular season.

2028 schedule

  • Sept. 9: Florida A&M Rattlers (home)
  • Sept. 16: Florida State Seminoles (home)
  • Nov. 25: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (home)

Georgia is in line to have a lot of home games in 2028. Of course, the Florida State series could be moved to a neutral site.

2029 schedule

  • Sept. 15: Clemson Tigers (away)
  • Nov. 24: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (away)

Clemson and Georgia are scheduled to play each other in the regular season in 2029 for the first time since the 2024 season opener. The Georgia-Clemson game could easily be moved to a neutral site.

2030 schedule

  • Aug. 31: Clemson Tigers (home)
  • Sept. 7: North Carolina A&T Aggies (home)
  • Sept. 14: Ohio State Buckeyes (home)
  • Nov. 30: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (home)

It’d be surprising to see Georgia have four nonconference home games, but man this would be a fun schedule. Ohio State has never played in Sanford Stadium.

2031 schedule

  • Aug. 30: Ohio State Buckeyes (away)
  • Sept. 6: Western Carolina Catamounts (home)
  • Nov. 29: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (away)

UGA has also never played at Ohio State. This would be a really awesome road game for Dawgs fans and the weather in Ohio is better in the summer than in the winter, so that’s a plus.

2032 schedule

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  • Sept. 4: Clemson Tigers (home)
  • Nov. 27: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (home)

Georgia plays its two top ACC rivals in 2032. UGA is set to play Clemson four times between 2029 and 2033.

2033 schedule

  • Sept. 3: Clemson Tigers (away)
  • Sept. 17: NC State Wolfpack (home)
  • Nov. 26: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (away)

Georgia is scheduled to play a trio of ACC opponents in 2033. The Dawgs would probably add a non-Power Four opponent to this schedule if the SEC stays at eight conference games per season.

2034 schedule

Sept. 17: NC State Wolfpack (away)

Nov. 25: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (home)

Georgia is 6-1-1 against NC State in school history, but has not played the Wolfpack since 1973.

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2035 and beyond schedules

Georgia Tech is the only team on Georgia’s future schedule beyond 2034. Georgia is scheduled to play Tech through 2037. All of UGA’s future scheduled games are according to FBSchedules.com.



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Georgia Southern’s treasured live bald eagle mascot, ‘Freedom,’ passes away | Newsroom

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Georgia Southern’s treasured live bald eagle mascot, ‘Freedom,’ passes away | Newsroom


Georgia Southern University’s beloved live bald eagle mascot, “Freedom,” passed away Saturday. 

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As an ambassador for Georgia Southern, wildlife and as a symbol of our nation, Freedom inspired thousands annually at Georgia Southern sporting events, the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Savannah, commencements, community events and other appearances across the State of Georgia and the nation. 

Through the Georgia Southern University Center for Wildlife Education and Lamar Q Ball, Jr. Raptor Center, individuals of all ages could visit Freedom and learn about wildlife, their care and conservation. 

Freedom has been a part of the University community since 2004, when he was found knocked out of a nest in Maitland, Florida, and permanent injury to his beak prevented his release into the wild. He was acquired with the permission of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. 

“We are incredibly saddened by the passing of Freedom, who soared as a symbol of Georgia Southern pride and True Blue spirit,” said Georgia Southern President Kyle Marrero. “Freedom was more than a mascot; he represented strength, spirit and unity for Georgia Southern. His loss will be felt by so many in Eagle Nation.”



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2025 NFL Draft: What Georgia’s Jared Wilson Would Bring to Rams

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2025 NFL Draft: What Georgia’s Jared Wilson Would Bring to Rams


The Los Angeles Rams are expected to continue their “draft and development” process with what they hope is another effective NFL Draft class that renders them more quality contributors early in their careers.

As of the last couple of seasons, Los Angeles has formed a young defense and offense with a mixture of veteran talent to compensate.

The Rams will likely address their needs at cornerback, safety, linebacker and slot receiver. However, they could add more depth in the middle of their offensive line despite Beaux Limmer’s late season performance as the starting center.

Georgia Bulldogs center Jared Wilson could be someone to watch in the middle rounds of the draft. He has one year of starting experience and despite the lack of it, he has flashed some quality moments in the run game and pass protection as a quick and sudden mover.

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The former three-star recruit played in 21 games across his first three seasons before becoming a starter last season, which ultimately led to him being a second-team All-SEC blocker.

Let’s look at what Wilson can bring to the NFL level and what he can improve on once he arrives.

Let’s start in the run game: Wilson has quality reactive quickness, suddenness and twitch to stimuli that allows him to widen his blocks and create some movement laterally. He offers good foot speed to redirect and cut off defenders from the far side of the field.

Pass protection offers some interesting skills here. His quick, functional athletic ability allows him to glide and mirror interior defenders who attempt to corner and will race them up the arc to get them clear of the quarterback.

Wilson does a good job sorting out defenders on games and his lateral mobility allows him to help his teammates with taking out the trash and look for work. His hand placement flashes at the point of attack as they stay tight together and the grip strength is impressive here as well.

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It’s clear on film that Wilson is an inexperienced player that will require some development at the next level. He will miss his landmarks against slanting defenders and stunts, allowing them to get across his face and into the quarterback’s.

Wilson has short arms that allows defenders to attack viciously with hand swipes to get after him and into his chest. His leverage is inconsistent and when he does have high pads, he will compromise his chest where defenders can gain access and work him into the backfield.

Furthermore, Wilson lacks a consistent anchor and leg drive due to insufficient play strength at the point of attack. He must continue to add to his frame here and that will require time in a league strength and conditioning program during the first offseason or two of his career.

Wilson offers the quickness, twitch, independent hand usage, football intelligence and athleticism to be a future starter at the next level in an outside zone blocking scheme. He currently lacks the ample power to be an effective gap blocker, a system he played in at Georgia, and will need time to add to his frame and play strength overall.

Los Angeles would benefit from a potential late third-round selection of Wilson, who would provide quality depth for the Rams and insurance if Limmer begins to struggle. Overall, the former All-SEC center would offer the potential Super Bowl contenders a possible future starter down the line with possible guard usage from time to time.

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