Fight to the finish: Badgers take down Wolverines in five sets

Friday, October 26

Crisler Center, Ann Arbor, MI

7 p.m.

Wisconsin Badgers

15-4, 8-3B1G

#12 Michigan

18-4, 7-4B1G

Wisconsin

Michigan

Photo by: Kelli Steffes

Fight to the finish: Badgers take down Wolverines in five sets

October 26, 2018 | Volleyball

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Clark’s career-high 33 digs helps UW overcome No. 12 Michigan

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Thanks to a career-best 33 digs from junior Tiffany Clark, the seventh-ranked Wisconsin volleyball team picked up its sixth win over a ranked opponent this season with a 3-2 win at No. 12 Michigan on Friday night. The Badgers came out on top 18-25, 25-16, 25-22, 21-25, 15-11.

After splitting the first two sets, Wisconsin (15-4 overall, 8-3 B1G) staged a comeback late in the third set to go up 2-1 in the match. It was Michigan (18-4, 7-4) who came from behind to win the fourth set and force a fifth. The Badgers got out to a quick 4-1 lead in the final frame and never looked back to secure their second-straight victory over a ranked opponent when playing five sets.

The reigning American Volleyball Coaches Association National Player of the Week Dana Rettke had another outstanding night, scoring a team-high 21 kills while hitting .571 (21 kills – 1 error – 35 attempts). The 6-foot-8 middle blocker also recorded a match-high nine blocks. Her tally helped Wisconsin outblock Michigan 13-12.

As a team, UW hit .218 (61-25-165) while holding Michigan to a hitting percentage of .158 (62-33-183).

Sophomore Grace Loberg tallied her second-straight double-double with 11 kills and 11 digs. Senior Tionna Williams also added 11 kills.

Setter Sydney Hilley also recorded a double-double with 45 assists and 10 digs. The trio combined for 52 digs on the night to help the Badgers out dig UM, 76-70.

Michigan won the service battle, recording six aces to Wisconsin's three. Loberg led the Badgers with two aces and Clark tallied the third.

𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬.

Incredible night for Tiff! pic.twitter.com/1HA1AzlYrt
— Wisconsin Volleyball (@BadgerVB) October 27, 2018

Notes to know

Junior Tiffany Clark tied a school record with a career-high 33 digs. The 5-11 libero tied the 25-point rally scoring mark set by Annemarie Hickey at N.C. State on Sept. 2, 2011.
Wisconsin defeats it sixth top-25 team this season, improving to 6-3 against ranked opponents.
The Badgers extend their winning streak over Michigan to nine matches.
Head coach Kelly Sheffield won his 150th match at Wisconsin.
Sophomore Dana Rettke recorded her second 20-plus kill match of the season, putting away 21 kills, just two off her career high. The 6-foot-8 middle blocker also finished with a match-high nine blocks.
Sophomore Grace Loberg recorded her sixth career double-double with 11 kills and 11 digs.
Sophomore Sydney Hilley tallied her eighth double-double of the season with 53 assists and 10 digs. She now has 17 double-doubles in her career.

Straight from the court

"This team has just had so much growth with their mentality to still stay calm and confident, when you get knocked down, coming back and still having the confidence to make plays. I certainly thought that we did that.

"Tiffany was fantastic. The past few weeks she's been playing at a really high level and tonight she was fantastic."

- Head coach Kelly Sheffield