MADISON, Wis. -- Third-ranked Wisconsin (15-1, 7-1 B1G) wraps up the first half of Big Ten play this weekend, hosting back-to-back top-15 opponents for the first time this season. The Badgers take on No. 6 Ohio State (16-2, 6-2) on Friday at 8 p.m. live on the Big Ten Network. No. 14 Penn State (13-5, 6-2) comes to town on Saturday with first serve at 6 p.m. also on the Big Ten Network.

1. CRITICAL CONFERENCE CONTESTS:  UW plays four-straight, top-ranked opponents as this weekend's home matches are followed up by road matches at No. 9 Nebraska (Oct. 27) and No. 7 Purdue (Oct. 31).

2. KEEPING THE STREAK ALIVE: Wisconsin is on a seven-match Big Ten winning streak, its second-longest of the season, after sweeping Michigan State and Michigan on the road last weekend. In the third set at Michigan on Saturday, the Badgers rallied from a 24-22 deficit, scoring four-straight points to win 26-24.
 
3. BACK ON TRACK: Wisconsin got its hitting back on track last weekend, attacking at a clip over .300 in both matches after hitting less than .300 in the previous three matches. On the season, UW hits .319, which leads the Big Ten and ranks fourth nationally.  
 
4. DIGGING HER HEELS IN: Fifth-year senior Lauren Barnes has double-figure digs in the last six matches, averaging 5.1 digs per set over the stretch. The 5-foot-6 libero leads the Big Ten in conference-only matches with 4.46 digs per set.

5. ROBINSON RALLYING BACK:  After struggling with her hitting after starting at middle blocker, sophomore Devyn Robinson has upped her hitting the last seven matches. Over the span, the 6-foot-2 Robinson is hitting .514 (66K-10E-109TA). She has upped her hitting .371 on the season, which ranks ninth in the Big Ten, while ranking fourth on the team with 2.53 kills per set.

6. SCOUTING THE TEAMS: No. 6 Ohio State is 16-2 on the season and 6-2 in Big Ten play, with losses to No.7 Purdue and No.14 Penn State. Sophmore right-side hitter Emily Londot leads the Buckeyes with 3.75 kills per set while junior outside hitter Jenaisya Moore adds 3.33 kills per set. Arica Davis, a freshman middle blocker, has a team-best 1.33 blocks per set while junior defensive specialist Kylie Murr leads the team with 4.54 digs per set. 

No. 14 Penn State is 13-5 on the season after a five-set loss to No. 6 Purdue over the weekend. The Nittany Lions are 6-2 in conference play with losses to Purdue and No.10 Nebraska. Penn State travels to Minnesota on Friday before facing the Badgers on Saturday. Senior right side hitter Jonni Parker leads the team with 3.72 kills per set, followed by super senior outside hitter Erika Pritchard with 2.59 kills per set. Kaitlyn Hord, a senior middle blocker, leads the team with 1.52 blocks per set while senior defensive specialist Jenna Hampton has a team-best 3.86 digs per set.