Wisconsin Volleyball Faces a Big Test in Milwaukee: No. 3 Badgers Will Take on No. 1 Texas

The No. 3 Wisconsin volleyball team will be one-of-four teams competing in the State Farm Women's College Volleyball Showcase at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wis. The Badgers will play No. 1 Texas on Sunday at 11:30 am, a rematch of the 2023 National Semifinal match that ended the Badgers' title run. UW will then turn around and play No. 5 Stanford at 4 pm on Monday afternoon. Both matches will be aired on FOX.

Before the matches, here are six things to know:

1. LAST TIME OUT: The Wisconsin volleyball team dropped the first match of the 2024 season, falling to No. 6 Louisville on Tuesday night at the AVCA First Serve Showcase. The Badgers came out strong in the first set, winning in convincing fashion, 25-18. Louisville won the next three sets, however, 17-25, 24-26, 20-25.

2. 2023 BESTS: Six Badgers had the best seasons of their careers in 2023 in at least one statistical category. Carter Booth hit a season-best .431 while averaging a season-best 1.56 blocks, 0.07 assists and 0.19 digs per set. CC Crawford hit a season-best .329. Sarah Franklin hit a season-best .300 while putting away a season-best 4.15 kills per set. Senior Julia Orzoł averaged a season-best 3.46 digs, 0.52 assists and 0.31 service aces per set. Devyn Robinson averaged a season-best 0.05 assists per set. Anna Smrek averaged a season-best 2.67 kills per set while hitting a season-best .401. She also adds a season-best 1.15 blocks, 0.37 digs and 0.03 service aces per set.

3. CHARLIE WITH A PEDIGREE: The freshman setter got her first true start at Louisville, where she put up 42 assists and nine digs. Both of Charlie Fuerbringer's parents played and coached collegiate volleyball. Father, Matt, played at Stanford (1992-1997) and a former AVP professional. Mother, Joy, played (1990-1994) and coached at Long Beach State. Matt also helped the men's national indoor volleyball team to a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics as he served as an assistant coach. Matt was also named head coach of the LOVB team in Madison.

4. TOP FIVE IN LAST FIVE: Wisconsin volleyball is the only Division I team to finish in the Top 5 in the last five years. This includes football, men's basketball, women's basketball and volleyball.

5. SCOUTING THE LONGHORNS: This will be the tenth meeting between the two teams, as Texas holds a 5-4 overall lead. The most recent match was the 2023 National Semifinal match in Tampa last December where Texas defeated Wisconsin 22-25, 25-20, 13-25, 16-25. The Longhorns went on to win the National Championship, becoming back-to-back champs. Texas will be returning four major weapons, including outside hitter Madisen Skinner, who was named Big 12 Player of the Year, AVCA Southwest Region Player of the Year and Final Four Most Outstanding Player. Emma Halter, Ella Swindle and Reagan Rutherford will also be back for Texas.

6. SCOUTING STANFORD: The Badgers are yet to win a match against Stanford, as they hold a 5-0 overall record over UW. The most recent meeting was in the 2019 National Championship match where Stanford swept the Badgers 16-25, 17-25, 20-25. No. 6 Stanford was picked to finish second in the ACC during its inaugural season in the conference. Middle blocker Sami Frances, setter Kami Miner, libero Elena Oglivie and outside hitter Elia Rubin were all selected for the 18-player Preseason All-ACC Team.

The Badgers will face a tough test in their season opener against the two-time defending national champions, No. 1 Texas. The game will be played at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which is home to the Milwaukee Bucks. The Badgers and the Longhorns last met in the 2023 NCAA semifinals, where Texas defeated Wisconsin in four sets. The Badgers will need to play their best volleyball if they want to upset the Longhorns. The game will be broadcast on Fox.