MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – A balanced Badger attack helped the ninth-ranked Wisconsin volleyball team to its first victory of the 2018 season Friday afternoon at the Target Center. UW opened the Big Ten/ACC Challenge with a sweep of North Carolina, 25-13, 25-18, 25-16.
 
Wisconsin (1-0) outhit North Carolina (0-1) .420 (40 kills – 6 errors – 81 attempts) to .067 (28-22-89) in both teams' first match of the year.
 
Sophomore Dana Rettke led the charge with 10 kills while Grace Loberg added nine, Madison Duello notched seven and Molly Haggerty put down six kills.
 
In the back court, setter Sydney Hilley recorded a team-high 10 digs and libero Tiffany Clark notched an additional nine as the Badgers out dug the Tar Heels, 32-30. Hilley also had a game-high 27 assists for her first double-double of the season.
 
Rettke played a part in all five of Wisconsin's blocks helping UW hold the advantage over UNC, 5-4.
 

1⃣ down. #RiseAsOne pic.twitter.com/SEXghmUE6W

— Wisconsin Volleyball (@BadgerVB) August 25, 2018

 

Notes to know

• The Badgers open the season with a win for the third straight year. Wisconsin improves to 31-14 all-time in season openers, including a 13-5 mark on neutral courts.
• Sophomore Dana Rettke led the Badgers with 10 kills, the 25th match of her career with double-figure kills.
• Sophomore Sydney Hilley recorded the 10th double-double of her career with 27 assists and team-high 10 digs.
• Sophomore Grace Loberg recorded a career-high six digs and also tied her career high with two assists.
• Redshirt sophomore Molly Haggerty saw her first action in nearly two years. The 6-1 outside hitter finished with six kills on 20 attempts for no errors for a .300 attack percentage. Haggerty also added two assists, one service ace, and three digs.

 

Straight from the court

"I thought we played pretty clean. We missed two out of their three last serves but other than that I thought we played pretty clean volleyball. That's kind of unusual coming out of the gate this early in the season. I think you have to be pretty pleased. A lot of people got some time in there and did a pretty good job."
 
-Head Coach Kelly Sheffield
 
"I've never really been on a team that has this many hitters that can really put the ball down. We have so many go-to hitters. It's really fun to be on this team. I don't think I'd want to play against us because of just how many options we have."
 
-Outside hitter Molly Haggerty
 

Up next

The Badgers conclude the Big Ten/ACC Challenge at the Target Center Saturday with a match against Florida State at 4:30 p.m. Fans can watch live on the Big Ten Network.