Wisconsin Volleyball uses balanced attack and big block in victory over Troy

MADISON – Tuesday was Sarah Franklin’s night. Friday night was a balanced affair for the Wisconsin volleyball team.

Five players scored in double figures in a sweep of Troy played before 7,229 fans at UW Field House, giving the seventh-seeded Badgers a season-best .416 hitting percentage, winning 25-18, 25-13 and 25-14 to score their fifth straight game and improve their record to 5-3.

Senior Anna Smrek led the Badgers in kills (10) and blocks (season-high seven) and posted a .412 batting average that narrowly missed her season-high for slugging percentage. Devyn Robinson, another senior, added eight kills, six blocks and a season-high .700 slugging percentage.

Franklin, who set a program record with 33 kills in a four-set win over Marquette on Tuesday, finished the night with nine kills, 10 digs and a .333 hitting percentage.

While Franklin had 60 swings on Tuesday, she led the team with 18 on Friday and was one of five Badgers with at least 10 swings.

The increasing diversity of UW's offense should help them in the overall picture of the season.

“I think it builds confidence in our team that anybody can do it and anybody can kill every night, like Tank did the other day with 33 kills, which is just incredible,” Robinson said. “Tonight it was a little more balanced. I think that's what makes us strong, that we have more than just one hitter that can take it all.”

New setter Charlie Fuerbringer, who missed the Marquette game with a right leg injury, returned and had 36 assists and helped the Badgers post a batting average of at least .321 in every set.

Wisconsin coach Kelly Sheffield noted that the freshman hasn't been able to practice much this week.

“It was a little rusty, but it's nice to say your setter is a little rusty when you're batting over .400,” he said. “I think that's a good problem to have.”

Wisconsin also set a season high with 12 ½ blocks, and its eight aces were the second-highest total of the season.

Troy, ranked second in the Sun Belt West, fell to 5-4 and posted a .057 hitting percentage, the second-lowest of the season and the lowest for a UW opponent. One of the Trojans' best players is junior setter Janelle Stuempfig, who tallied 12 assists.

The first set was not only the closest of the match, but also the most competitive. The score was tied at 13-13 when junior Gulce Guctekin served six points in a row to win the set. Robinson and senior Julia Orzol had two kills during the run.

The next two sets were characterized by fast starts from Wisconsin.

In the second period, the Badgers scored 10 of the first 12 points, with Smrek and senior Caroline Crawford recording two blocks and a kill in that period. In the third period, UW also led 10-2, but this time the run was one of balance, as five players recorded kills in that period, led by Smrek's three.

It was a short night for UW. The game lasted just one hour and 18 minutes, just 2 minutes longer than the team's shortest game this year (UWM).

That's good, because the Badgers will face 8-0 Texas A&M again on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Field House.

Wisconsin Volleyball uses balanced attack and big block in victory over Troy

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Wisconsin Volleyball uses balanced attack and big block in victory over Troy

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