The No. 8 University of Wisconsin-Madison volleyball team traveled to a sold-out Mackey Arena on Saturday to take on No. 10 Purdue and emerged victorious with a 3-0 win.
This game was projected to be a tough match between the two Big Ten powerhouses, but the Badgers dominated, proving themselves to the 14,876 fans in attendance and the national television audience on NBC.
The first set began as a close contest, but freshman setter Charlie Fuerbringer went on a lengthy 12-0 serving run, including two service aces, that put the Badgers on top 16-6. The Boilermakers were not able to overcome such an extreme deficit despite several solid kills later in the set. Senior right side hitter Anna Smrek was another powerful force in the first set, earning five kills for the Badgers to help secure their first set win, 25-20.
The Badgers were in control for most of the second set, but it was much closer. Fuerbringer went on another serving run that lasted four points. The Badgers led 24-19 late in the set, but a push from the Boilermakers held off four set points before senior outside hitter Julia Orzol finally closed out the set with a kill. Wisconsin narrowly won 25-23.
The third and final set was the most one-sided, though it included a long and entertaining rally finished by senior outside hitter Sarah Franklin’s kill. Notably, the third set also featured two service aces, one for Fuerbringer and one for junior middle blocker Carter Booth. Wisconsin went on an 11-3 run late in the set which ended it, 25-13.
As a team, the Badgers’ difficult serves shined along with their strong defensive game, which has been on display in their last few matches. They finished this match with 15 blocks, led by Booth with nine, Smrek with five and fifth-year middle blocker Devyn Robinson with four.
Purdue’s junior outside hitter Eva Hudson had an impressive performance with 17 kills. On the other side of the net, Smrek tallied 12 kills, Franklin had 10 and Orzol had six.
Wisconsin has not lost a match in Big Ten conference play since their first conference match against No. 18 Minnesota, which they lost 3-2.
The team looks to continue their winning streak against No. 2 Nebraska, a fierce opponent, on Friday. They play at 8 p.m. at the UW Field House.
