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Wisconsin volleyball unveiled its 2023 NCAA semifinalist banner before an exhibition match against Bradley.
The University of Wisconsin volleyball team is in a spot it hasn't been since 2015, and on the cusp of hitting a low not felt since 1993.
But if those seasons are worth any lesson, it's that a poor beginning to a season doesn't determine where the Badgers may end up at the end. And they get a rematch of last season's national semifinal against No. 1 Texas, the two-time reigning national champions in front of what could be a record crowd.
The No. 3 Badgers (0-1) had a dominant set to open the season at the AVCA First Serve Showcase but dropped the next three with service errors mounting against No. 6 Louisville. It was an effort Wisconsin coach Kelly Sheffield said "hope is not a strategy."
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It was a clear message and seemed to be along the lines of what he told his team. Senior captain Julia Orzol put it succinctly, "I feel it's more about mentality and having that hunting mentality and not being hunted."
Sunday is one of a few opportunities this season the Badgers can hunt, and it won't just be a mindset but reality, at least if NCAA Tournament history serves as a reminder. The Badgers battled in a second set in last season's national semifinal to even the match against the Longhorns before Wisconsin was outscored 50-29 in the final two sets.
There's plenty at stake, too. Wisconsin faces its first 0-2 start since John Cook's second season leading the Badgers in 1993, when they lost to No. 1 Stanford in three sets and at Loyola Chicago in five sets. But that season ended at 19-13 with a second-round loss at Hawaii. For the record, the last time the Badgers lost three in a row was from Sept. 30 to Oct. 7 in 2017.
Here are a few things to know and how to follow the match.
Volleyball attendance record in sight again?
The last time the Badgers played at Fiserv Forum, they set a NCAA regular-season indoor attendance record with 17,037 fans on hand for a four-set win over Marquette. Wisconsin was ranked No. 1 and setter Izzy Ashburn set the program's career service ace record.
Sunday's marquee match at 11:30 a.m. is part of the Women's College Volleyball Showcase, which features No. 5 Stanford and No. 18 Minnesota afterwards. It's unclear how many more fans could squeeze into Fiserv Forum, home of the Milwaukee Bucks, to break the indoor regular-season attendance record.
Last season's championship between the Longhorns and Nebraska on Dec. 17, 2023 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, set an indoor attendance record with 19,727 fans. The semifinals, which included Wisconsin and Pittsburgh, had 19,598 fans. Those are two of the 12 postseason indoor matches with more fans than the Badgers and Marquette last season.
What system will Texas run?
The Longhorns will open their season in the Cream City, and a question of who will play setter has not yet been answered. Sophom*ore Ella Swindle directed the attack well enough but also has competition after Texas added Averi Carlson, a transfer from Baylor. That would open the possibility of a 6-2.
Tournament MVP Madisen Skinner returns to the mix of attackers, and All-American opposite Reagan Rutherford transferred from Kentucky. The Badgers alsowill be familiar with senior outside Jenna Wenaas, who spent her first two seasons at Minnesota, and redshirt junior outside Whitney Lauenstein, who averaged 2.72 kills per set in 2022 at Nebraska.
What will Wisconsin have fixed?
It was clear that the Badgers needed to clean up things after Tuesday's loss. A focal point of stronger serving fell flat with 17 errors to one ace against Louisville, and eight service errors in the second set fueled the Cardinals.
They trotted out two liberos as part of the new NCAA rules as Gulce Guctekin returned to the off-colored uniform as the serving specialist and redshirt freshman Saige Damrow was the serve-receive specialist. Sheffield gave votes of confidence after experimenting in the first match.
Freshman setter Charlie Fuerbringer had 42 assists in her debut. But the Badgers hit .179 and had only Sarah Franklin (17) and Anna Smrek (12) with more than 10 kills. Devyn Robinson returned to middle and had eight kills (.353) and 10 blocks.
How to buy tickets for Wisconsin volleyball vs. Texas
There are plenty of seats availablethrough the event's seller, Ticketmaster, for fans wanting to make the trek to Milwaukee. Prices range from $15 in the upper deck to $363 before fees to sit courtside. Prices on reseller SeatGeek range from $31 to $405, though that's an outlier with floor seats at $232.
How to watch Wisconsin volleyball vs. Texas
Sunday's match is the second of 18 nationally televised matches for the Badgers. It will be broadcast on Fox.
How to stream Wisconsin volleyball vs. Texas
There are several options for fans looking to follow the action online, withthe Fox broadcast available to subscribers on the Fox Sports app.
How to listen to Wisconsin volleyball vs. Texas
TheBadgers have a new radio homeon 100.5 FM in Madison and 620 AM in Milwaukee.
Photos: Wisconsin volleyball preps for regular season with exhibition match against Bradley
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