Julia Kostopoulos
- Box Score
1
OregonOregon29-6,16-4 Pac-12
3
WinnerWisconsinWisc30-3,17-3 Big Ten
OregonOregon
29-6,16-4 Pac-12
1
Final
3
WisconsinWisc
30-3,17-3 Big Ten
Winner
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon Oregon | 22 | 22 | 27 | 18 | (1) |
| Wisconsin Wisc | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | (3) |
Game Recap: Volleyball | | Ellie Culver
No. 3 Wisconsin upends No. 6 Oregon, 3-1
MADISON, Wis. -- For the sixth time in program history, the Wisconsin volleyball team is heading to the NCAA National Semifinals after beating No. 6 Oregon 25-22, 25-22, 25-27, 25-18, in the regional finals at the UW Field House on Saturday night.
After winning the first two sets, Oregon (29-6) battled back to take the third set in extra points. But the fourth set was all Wisconsin (30-3).
The third-ranked Badgers led 9-8 in the final set before Izzy Ashburn went back to serve, keying a 7-0 run. Three kills from Sarah Franklin aided UW to a 14-8 lead. The Ducks cut that lead to five, including at 21-16, but Wisconsin responded each time and didn't allow more than a two-point run from Oregon. The Badgers earned match point at 24-16 on a block from Devyn Robinson and Carter Booth but Oregon held off two set points before missing a serve that sent Wisconsin to Tampa.
Wisconsin's block keyed the win as the Badgers outblocked the Ducks, 16-4. Booth led alll players with nine blocks as Anna Smrek and CC Crawford each added seven stuffs.
Franklin led the charge offensively, totaling 20 kills. Temi Thomas-Ailara put down 11 kills, while Anna Smrek added 10. The Badgers hit .313 (59 kills - 12 errors -150 attempts) on the night. MJ Hammill (26 assists) and Izzy Ashburn (23 assists) set up the UW offense.
Oregon finished the match hitting .207 (64 - 28 - 174) as outside hitter Mimi Colyer shared match-high honors with 20 kills.
In the backcourt, Gulce Guctekin had match-high 17 digs with libero Julia Orzol was not far behind with 16 saves. Franklin added 11 to complete her eighth double-double of the season. Oregon edged the Badgers, 73-70 in digs.
The Ducks also had the advantage in service aces, scoring seven times from the service line while Wisconsin tallied four service aces -- one each from Guctekin, Franklin, Hammill and Ashburn.
After an even start to set one, it was all tied up at seven apiece before Guctekin went back to serve. The defensive specialist scored a service ace followed by back-to-back kills from Franklin pushed the Badgers to an 11-7 lead. Oregon started to chip away and responded with three service aces of their own and brought it back within one point (17-16). However, the Badgers responded right back with a quick 3-0 run to force an Oregon timeout at 20-16. The Ducks bounced back before forcing a UW time out at 23-21. The Ducks made it 23-22 before another kill from Franklin and an Oregon hitting error gave UW set one.
After a strong Oregon start to the second set, the Badgers battled back from down five (8-3) to take a 9-8 lead fueled by five straight serves from Orzol. Oregon sided out but UW came right back on a 5-1 run with back-to-back kills from Franklin to lead 14-10. The Ducks responded with a 4-0 run to tie it up at 14 apiece. The teams battled back and forth with 11 ties total, including at 22-all, before Wisconsin iced the set with a 3-0 run to take the second set 25-22.
Oregon came out in set three on fire to take a 13-6 lead. The Badgers cut the Ducks lead to two several times but it wasn't until a kill by Thomas-Ailara tied it up at 23 apiece. UW fought off two Oregon set points but the Ducks scored on a hitting and a Badger hitting error to make it 2-1 in the match.
Straight from the court
Head Coach Kelly Sheffield
On the fight:"Congrats to Oregon on a great year, a great match. This was a total team effort from us. We had no give up tonight, and the amount of fight to keep the ball off the floor, and give ourselves a chanced to stay in the rally, was the best I have ever seen."
On mental toughness:"One of the things we talked about was the definition of mental toughness and moving on to the next play. It was one of the things that we talked about which is a lot easier to talk about than it is to actually do it in practice with a final four on the line. I am really proud of our players, excited that we get another week, and I am looking forward to taking the show to Tampa."
Outside Sarah Franklin
On coming back from injury:"I'm grateful, there's no other words to put it. I'm very grateful to all the staff here and everyone at the UW Hospital was able to get me back fully for the season. It makes it a little sweeter, not being here would have torn me apartand I think putting all that work in is making it a little bit sweeter every time."
Opposite Devyn Robinson
On the atmosphere in the Field House:"Having such a knowledgeable crowd helps a lot. Especially with those really close plays, they can appreciate the long rallies, and all the great shots like throwing it to the corner. I love it here."
Opposite Anna Smrek
On the effective block:"They had a fast tempo. Luckily, we had some experience playing with faster tempo, we practiced getting our hands over fast, but it's really about tracking it and getting good touches. A lot of the time we weren't even going for stuff blocks, it's how we can get the ball in good position on our side. We stayed disciplined and we knew our defense was behind us and had our backs. All we had to do was go up and do our job."
Notes to know
- The Badgers improve to 69-25 in the program's 27th NCAA tournament appearance, including a 6-8 mark in the Elite Eight. UW is 39-9 under Head Coach Kelly Sheffield in his 11th year in the championship. Sheffield is 5-4 in regional semifinal appearances.
- Wisconsin wrapped up its 2023 season 17-0 in the UW Field House, its first non-COVID undefeated season. UW was 6-0 at home in 2020.
- Senior Devyn Robinson picked up her 1,000th career kill in the first set of the match. The 6-foot-2 right-side hitter finished with nine kills for 1,008 kills in her fourth season.
- UW outblocked Oregon 16-4, the 18th time this season the Badgers had 10-or-more blocks in a match and the match with 15-or-more blocks in a match.
- Grad student Izzy Ashburn broke the UW career record for sets played with 523, breaking the previous mark of 520 sets held by Sydney Hille (2017-21).
- Senior Sarah Franklin recorded her eighth double-double of the season and 26th of her career with 20 kills and 11 digs.
- Four Badgers were named to the NCAA Madison Region All-Tournament team - Carter Booth, Julia Orzol, Devyn Robinson while Sarah Franklin was named the regional MVP.
- The Badgers win 30 matches in a season for the sixth time in program history.
Up Next
Wisconsin takes on Texas in the NCAA National Semifinals on Thursday from Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Nebraska faces off against Pittsburgh in the other national semifinal. Times will be announced on Sunday. The national championship match will be held on Sunday, Dec. 17 at 2 p.m. live on ABC.
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