Setting the stage: Kohl Center Classic is back!

MADISON, Wis. — The No. 7 Wisconsin volleyball team returns to the Kohl Center to play Marquette on Tuesday night. The game will begin at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.

1. LAST TIME: Before their week off, the Badgers defeated Milwaukee 25-13, 25-13 and 25-14 in their first home game on Tuesday night. Julia Orzol led the team with 14 kills and achieved a career high in hit percentage with .684 (14 kills – 1 error – 19 attempts). Lola Schumacher made her second start as a libero. Building on her 27 saves at Baylor, Schumacher led the team with 14 saves against the Panthers.

2. CONTINUE TO CLIMB: The Badgers are now ranked seventh in the latest AVCA poll, moving up one spot from last week. The Big Ten has four teams in the top 10, with Penn State at third, Nebraska at fifth and Purdue just ahead of UW at sixth. Oregon isn't far behind at 12th. Pittsburgh and Stanford top the poll, ranked first and second, respectively.

3. STATE RIVAL AT KC: The Kohl Center Classic is back for its second game at the Kohl Center! The first game was against Florida in 2022 and became an instant classic. Although the team lost in five sets, the atmosphere at the Kohl Center was electric. The center's capacity was 17,071 spectators, which was an NCAA attendance record at the time. Last season, Marquette hosted the Badgers at the Fiserv Forum, which drew 17,037 fans.



4. BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER: Lauren Carlini, one of the most decorated athletes in the program's history and a silver medalist at the Paris Olympics, has returned to the bench as an offensive analyst and strategy consultant for the Badgers. Carlini will make her debut on the Badgers' bench against the Golden Eagles. She will also be recognized during the game for her performance in Paris.

5. COOKING CC: After returning to the starting lineup (Stanford), Crawford made an immediate impact, totaling 23 kills, 14 digs, 15 blocks and 38.5 points in the last five games.

6. In search of the golden eagles: Wisconsin has a 22-1 record against Marquette, with its only loss coming in 2019 during a five-set thriller in Madison. So far this season, the Golden Eagles are 3-3. Marquette also faced Stanford earlier this year, losing in straight sets. The Golden Eagles were ranked No. 24 in the preseason poll. Marquette reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season. Aubrey Hamilton, Carsen Murray, Hattie Bray and Yadhira Anchante all return and were named to the Preseason All-Big East Conference team. Anchante was named the BIG EAST Setter of the Week, it was announced Monday.