The University of Wisconsin volleyball team hopes to sideout of its three-match losing streak as it participates in the fourth Big Ten/Big 12 volleyball challenge.
It's Baylor's turn to host the event in which the Badgers have beaten Friday's opponent, TCU, in straight sets each time, plus in the 2022 NCAA Tournament. And the sixth-ranked Badgers (0-3) hope not to match a program-worst start from 40 years ago.
It's the first time since 1985 that the Badgers have lost three straight to start the season, and they could match the 1984 team. That group lost eight straight to start the season and finished 5-23, which included a four-set loss to No. 10 Purdue and a five-set loss to No. 9 Texas during the season-opening skid. Only the 1978 team matched a four-match losing streak to open the season.
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This season's team hasa treasure's chest of talent but has been hampered by injuries. Senior outside/defensive specialist Julia Orzol has been limited with an ankle injury to start the season. Reigning national player of the year Sarah Franklin is around 85% recovered from an ankle injury suffered playing with USA Volleyball. And it was reported over the weekend that Anna Smrek was dealing with an injury.
Though never before did the Badgers have a three-match stretch quite like this season's. The losses came at preseason No. 6 Louisville, No. 1 Texas (two-time defending champions) and No. 5 Stanford. The closest to this high level of a start for the Badgers was in 2001, when they were 4-1 with a loss to No. 12 Pacific and wins over No. 5 Hawaii, No. 13 UC-Santa Barbara and No. 2 Southern Cal. That team went 27-4 and reached the Sweet 16.
TCU (1-1) was receiving votes in the latest AVCA rankings while Saturday's opponent, Baylor, was ranked No. 23 Baylor (4-0). Here are a few things to know and how to watch the 4 p.m. Friday match against the Horned Frogs.
Caroline Crawford makes most of first start
While Caroline Crawford had played in six of eight sets to open the season, it was in a minimal role. That was until Monday's match against the Cardinal, when the fifth-year middle blocker, who was 16th nationally with 1.35 blocks per set last season, drew the start.
She clearly was trying to make a statement to coach Kelly Sheffield, who has four starting-caliber middles/right-sides and three spots available. She had eight kills, hitting .435, with a team-high four blocks and four digs.
“But there are matches after this, so some of the decisions that are made are based off of health and continuing to progress our players and everybody moving forward," Sheffield said Monday. "It’s one of the cool things about being able to coach some of these players. You have a player like Anna Smrek, who didn’t even get into the match. And yesterday we played a match that CC Crawford barely got into the match. Those things are going to happen if we’re healthy, especially at the middle and right side positions.”
Closing time a struggle for Wisconsin
Getting to the end of sets has seen the Badgers' unravel. They had a 24-21 lead before allowing five straight points to Stanford in the first set, and the Cardinal closed on a 4-1 run to win the third set after two Wisconsin service errors and a reception error. The Badgers climbed back within 20-19 in the final set before three straight Cardinal points helped close out the match.
The Badgers squandered the first set against Texas 30-28 after they led 22-19 before the Longhorns forced the extra effort. The Badgers then battled back to take a 16-13 lead in the second set only to allow a 7-2 response, which included three attack and two block errors by the Badgers. Yet Wisconsin answered to win the set 25-23 before losing the last two sets by 10 and 14 points.
In the season opener against Louisville, the Badgers were in tight sets but couldn't close out the Cardinals. It was 14-13 Wisconsin in the second set before seven straight Louisville points. Set 3 was tied at 24-24 before the Cardinals closed it out, and it was 18-18 in the fourth set, but Louisville closed the match with a 7-2 run. The Badgers had 17 service errors in that loss.
But Sheffield was encouraged Monday with the improvements.
"What I want to see is how do we respond in those situations? I loved how we responded on a team that really can bring an avalanche of pressure on you," he said. "I thought we did a really good job of responding.”
How to watch Wisconsin volleyball vs. TCU
Friday's match will not be broadcast on cable or regular streaming services, such as YouTube TV, Fubo or Hulu. Fans instead must have an ESPN+ subscription to watch.
Subscriptions for ESPN+ start at $10.99 per month with an annual plan offered at $109.99 per year. There is also a bundle with Disney+ and Hulu for $14.99 per month.
How to listen to Wisconsin volleyball vs. TCU
TheBadgers have a new radio homeon100.5 FM in Madisonand 620 AM in Milwaukee.
Scene of Wisconsin volleyball's match against No. 5 Stanford
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Aaron Ferguson
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