Wisconsin Volleyball celebrates the 2021 NCAA Division I title. Image courtesy: UW Madison Sports Information.
COLUMBUS, OH (WSAU) — The Wisconsin Badgers defeated Nebraska in five sets to claim their first Division I women’s volleyball championship in their third trip to the final.
The Badgers dropped the first set to the Huskers 25-22 before taking a back-and-forth second that went to extra points 31-29. The Badgers then went up 2-1 thanks to a 25-23 win in the third before the Huskers forced a deciding 5th set by the same score.
At one point in the fifth set Wisconsin held a 6-0 lead before winning 15-12.
National Player of the Year Dana Rettke finished with 11 kills and 13 blocks. Anna Smrek led the offense with 14 kills while adding seven blocks.
Lauren Barnes recorded 31 digs while setter Sydney Hilley recorded 13 digs and 51 set assists.
Smrek was named the AVCA Most Outstanding Player of the tournament as well.
As a team, Wisconsin recorded 60 kills in the win on 191 swings at the net. They also recorded 25 hitting errors over the five sets for a hitting percentage of .191. (60 kills minus 25 errors divided by 191.) Nebraska hit .141 recording 68 kills and 39 errors.
A welcome home ceremony for the team will be held at the UW Fieldhouse at 5:30 this evening and will also be live-streamed on Facebook. Official championship apparel will go on sale later today as well.
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