Saturday, the No. 23 Badger volleyball team traveled to Lincoln, Neb. for a Big Ten showdown against No. 10 Nebraska.
After losing the first two sets, the Badgers (3-1 Big Ten, 14-2 overall) rallied back to push the game to a deciding fifth set, but couldn’t finish off the Cornhuskers (4-0, 11-2).
In a match with four sets determined by three points or less, execution under pressure was key to winning.
In the first set, Wisconsin took a quick 10-7 lead, but Nebraska came back to win the set 25-23.
The key to the first set was Nebraska out-blocking the Badgers 6.5-1. UW went down 19-14 early in the second set, but stuck around, pushing Nebraska to a 26-24 win.
Wisconsin hit well in the second set with a .324 attack percentage, but eight kills by Nebraska’s two time All-American senior Kelsey Robinson were too much for them to handle.
After losing two close ones, the tide turned in the third set for the Badgers, who won 25-22.
UW had to come back for a close win, with seven ties and three lead changes occurring in the set.
The Badgers 32-30 fourth-set win made the third set look like a blowout, with 20 ties and seven lead changes, posting the second most points in the rally-scoring era of the program’s history.
Unlike the first set, Wisconsin out-blocked the Cornuskers, including a key set-wining block by junior Ellen Chapman.
The Badgers offense sputtered in the final set, hitting a negative .120 as Nebraska won 15-6.
Again, the Cornhuskers out-blocked the Badgers, this time 4-0.
Despite the loss, there were bright spots for the Badgers, including a career-high 10 blocks for freshman middle blocker Haleigh Nelson.
Two double-doubles were also recorded by junior outside hitter Deme Morales and freshman setter Lauren Carlini.
Wisconsin has two road games this week, both against ranked teams.
The Badgers head out for a Friday matchup at No. 12 Ohio State and a Saturday game at No. 5 Penn State.
