The Wisconsin Badger volleyball team fell 22-25, 25-20, 13-25, 16-25 to Texas in the National Semifinals on Thursday night. Wisconsin finishes the 2023 season with a 30-4 record.
“I don’t want to be somebody that says you got to win a championship or it’s a lost season. I don’t want to be in this profession if that’s what it is and that’s what our players are feeling. We don’t talk about that,” said Badger Head Coach Kelly Sheffield after the game. “We talk about trying to play our best, trying to get better, be the best we can be, max out all those types of things. And hopefully, along the way you’re with people that you enjoy being around. There’s a lot to celebrate, there’s a lot to be proud of.
“It’s a bittersweet moment because I know they thoroughly enjoyed playing with each other and for each other, and the fan base, and the University. But, you know, that’s sports and they have nothing to hang their heads about. It was a great year and we wish we had a few more days with them, but that’s the way it goes.”
After a close start of the first set, the Badgers fell behind by as many as five, as they trailed 17-12. Texas and UW traded a few points until the Badgers went on a 4-0 run with two blocks from CC Crawford and Anna Smrek to tie it up at 20-all. However, Texas closed it out on two kills to take the first set 25-22.
The Badgers rebounded in set two using a 7-0 run, including three kills from Smrek, to give Wisconsin a 15-7 lead. Texas battled back to bring it within one (16-15), but a few points later the Badgers went on another quick run to put Wisconsin ahead 23-18. The Badgers took the set 25-20 on a block from Sarah Franklin and Crawford.
Wisconsin struggled out of the gate on both sides of the net in the third. Texas took command, going on an 11-0 run to make it 15-3. The deficit was too large for the Badgers to overcome, as they fell 25-13 in the third set.
After a tight start to the final set, Texas took an 11-4 lead after a 6-0 run. Wisconsin could not dig out of the hole and lost the final set 25-16 and close out the season.
Franklin and Smrek led the Badgers with 13 kills apiece, while Temi Thomas-Ailara added nine. The Badgers hit .223 (42 kills – 15 errors – 121 attempts).
Outside hitter Madisen Skinner had 18 kills for the Longhorns who hit .274 (57 – 20 – 135). The Longhorns finished with 11 service aces. Texas will play Nebraska on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. on ABC for the national championship.
