Photo by: Tom Lynn
Badgers face Baylor in NCAA National Semifinals
December 15, 2019 | Volleyball
Wisconsin takes on top-seeded Bears on Thursday at 6 p.m. CT
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MADISON, Wis. – Making its third appearance in the NCAA National Semifinals, the fourth-seeded Wisconsin volleyball team (26-6) takes on top-seeded Baylor (29-1) in the first national semifinal on Thursday at 6 p.m. CT from PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. The match will be televised by ESPN.
Third-seed Stanford (28-4) takes on seventh-seeded Minnesota (27-5) in the second semifinal at approximately 8:30 p.m. CT. Semifinal winners advance to the national championship match on Saturday at 7 p.m. CT from PPG Paints Arena. That match will be televised by ESPN2.
Wisconsin is 2-0 in national semifinal matches, defeating No. 2 USC, 3-1, in 2000 and top-ranked Texas, 3-1, in 2013. The Badgers fell in the national championship match both seasons, losing to No. 1 Nebraska, 3-2, in 2000, and to second-seeded Penn State, 3-1, in 2013.
The Badgers advanced to the national semifinals by sweeping all four opponents in NCAA tournament play. Wisconsin downed Illinois State in the first round before sweeping UCLA in the second round. On Friday, UW defeated No. 13 Texas A&M, 3-0, in the regional semifinals before triumphing over fifth-seeded Nebraska, 3-0, on Saturday in the regional final. The Badgers are now 50-22 in their 23rd year of competing in the NCAA tournament.
Tuesday, Dec. 17 (UW Field House)
12:30 p.m.                   Team Send-Off (Gate C)
Wednesday, Dec. 18 (All events in PPG Paints Arena)
10-11:30 a.m.                   Baylor Open Practice
11:35 a.m. - 1:05 p.m.    Wisconsin Open Practice
1:20 - 2:50 p.m. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Stanford Open Practice
2:55 - 4:25 p.m. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Minnesota Open Practice
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Thursday, Dec. 19 (All events in PPG Paints Arena unless designated)
2 - 2:20 p.m.                      Wisconsin NCAA Pep Rally – Holiday Market, Market Square
4 - 6 p.m.              Wisconsin Pep Rally - Cafe Fifth Avenue
7 p.m.                                  Semifinal #1 – Wisconsin vs. Baylor (ESPN)
9:30 p.m.                            Semifinal #2 – Minnesota vs. Stanford (ESPN)
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Saturday, Dec. 21 (All events in PPG Paints Arena unless designated)
4 - 4:20 p.m.                      Visiting Team Pep Rally – Holiday Market, Market Square
4:30 - 4:50 p.m.                Home Team Pep Rally – Holiday Market, Market Square
6 - 6:30 p.m. (Approx.)Â Â Â Â Â Championship Teams Red Carpet Welcome
8 p.m.                                  Championship Match (ESPN2)
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MADISON, Wis. – Making its third appearance in the NCAA National Semifinals, the fourth-seeded Wisconsin volleyball team (26-6) takes on top-seeded Baylor (29-1) in the first national semifinal on Thursday at 6 p.m. CT from PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. The match will be televised by ESPN.
Third-seed Stanford (28-4) takes on seventh-seeded Minnesota (27-5) in the second semifinal at approximately 8:30 p.m. CT. Semifinal winners advance to the national championship match on Saturday at 7 p.m. CT from PPG Paints Arena. That match will be televised by ESPN2.
Wisconsin is 2-0 in national semifinal matches, defeating No. 2 USC, 3-1, in 2000 and top-ranked Texas, 3-1, in 2013. The Badgers fell in the national championship match both seasons, losing to No. 1 Nebraska, 3-2, in 2000, and to second-seeded Penn State, 3-1, in 2013.
The Badgers advanced to the national semifinals by sweeping all four opponents in NCAA tournament play. Wisconsin downed Illinois State in the first round before sweeping UCLA in the second round. On Friday, UW defeated No. 13 Texas A&M, 3-0, in the regional semifinals before triumphing over fifth-seeded Nebraska, 3-0, on Saturday in the regional final. The Badgers are now 50-22 in their 23rd year of competing in the NCAA tournament.
NCAA Championship Week Schedule (All times Eastern)
Tuesday, Dec. 17 (UW Field House)12:30 p.m.                   Team Send-Off (Gate C)
Wednesday, Dec. 18 (All events in PPG Paints Arena)
10-11:30 a.m.                   Baylor Open Practice
11:35 a.m. - 1:05 p.m.    Wisconsin Open Practice
1:20 - 2:50 p.m. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Stanford Open Practice
2:55 - 4:25 p.m. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Minnesota Open Practice
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Thursday, Dec. 19 (All events in PPG Paints Arena unless designated)
2 - 2:20 p.m.                      Wisconsin NCAA Pep Rally – Holiday Market, Market Square
4 - 6 p.m.              Wisconsin Pep Rally - Cafe Fifth Avenue
7 p.m.                                  Semifinal #1 – Wisconsin vs. Baylor (ESPN)
9:30 p.m.                            Semifinal #2 – Minnesota vs. Stanford (ESPN)
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Saturday, Dec. 21 (All events in PPG Paints Arena unless designated)
4 - 4:20 p.m.                      Visiting Team Pep Rally – Holiday Market, Market Square
4:30 - 4:50 p.m.                Home Team Pep Rally – Holiday Market, Market Square
6 - 6:30 p.m. (Approx.)Â Â Â Â Â Championship Teams Red Carpet Welcome
8 p.m.                                  Championship Match (ESPN2)
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NCAA National Semifinal Post-Match Press Conference || Kentucky
Thursday, December 18
NCAA National Semifinal Prematch Press Conference || Kentucky
Wednesday, December 17
Cinematic Highlights || Texas
Tuesday, December 16
Post-Match Media Conference || Texas
Sunday, December 14
