Wisconsin Badgers
Louisville
Serving Up Six: Badgers compete in NCAA championships
December 14, 2021 | Volleyball
Wisconsin takes on Louisville in national semifinals
| Venue | Nationwide Arena | Columbus, Ohio |
| Match Notes | Wisconsin | Louisville |
| Statistics | Wisconsin | Louisville |
| TV | ESPN |
| Radio | Listen Live on WIBA 1310AM |
| Live Stats | NCAA Interactive Bracket |
| Social Media | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram |
| Tickets | NCAA Volleyball Tickets |
MADISON, Wis. -- Competing in its third-straight NCAA national semifinal, No. 4 Wisconsin (29-3) takes on No. 1 Louisville (32-0) on Thursday at 6 p.m. CT from Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. No. 3-seed Pittsburgh (30-3) faces No. 10 Nebraska (25-7) in the second national semifinal at 8:30 p.m. CT.
Semifinal winners play for the national championship on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. CT.
1. FINAL FOUR FACTS: Wisconsin is 3-1 in NCAA national semifinals, including a 2-1 mark under head coach Kelly Sheffield. The Badgers are also 2-1 against No. 1 teams in the final four. In 2019, the Badgers defeated No. 1 Baylor, 3-1, in the semifinals. In 2013, UW downed No. 1 Texas, 3-1, in the semifinals. In 2000, Wisconsin fell to No. 1 Nebraska, 3-2, in the championship match.
2. THIRD TIME'S THE CHARM? The Badgers are the only team making their third-straight appearance in the final four. In 2019, Wisconsin fell to Stanford, 3-0, in the championship match while in 2020, UW fell to Texas, 3-0, in the semifinals.
3. ALL-TOURNAMENT ACCOLADES: Setter Sydney Hilley was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Wisconsin Regional, running the Badger offense. The 6-foot Hilley averaged 12.17 assists, 4.33 digs and 0.83 blocks per set while setting UW to a .301 team hitting percentage and 15.67 kills per set. Middle blockers Dana Rettke and Devyn Robinson was also named to the all-tournament team. Rettke averaged 3.83 kills per set while hitting .476 and added 0.83 blocks per set. Robinson averaged 3.17 kills and 1.67 blocks per set while hitting .375.
4. SETTING UP FOR SUCCESS: Wisconsin has not lost a set in NCAA tournament play and has won its last 18 sets, its longest set-winning streak of the season. The Badgers have also won the last nine matches in a row.
5. IZZY ACE-BURN: Junior Izzy Ashburn broke her own season record for service aces under 25-point rally scoring. The 5-foot-11 serving specialist has 48 aces this season, besting her mark of 47 set in 2019.
6. STACKED AT THE NET: Wisconsin has a balanced offensive attack in NCAA play, with five hitters averaging 2.0-or-more kills per set. Dana Rettke leads the Badgers with 3.58 kills per set while Grace Loberg adds 3.00 kills per set. Julia Orzoł (2.75) Devyn Robinson (2.67) and Anna Smrek (2.17). Rettke hits a team-best .468 while Robinson connects on .431.
Robinson has a team-best 1.42 blocks per set while freshman Anna Smrek adds 1.00 blocks per set. Sydney Hilley puts up 12.75 assists per set while adding 3.25 digs per set in running the Badger offense. Lauren Barnes has a team-best 4.92 digs per set while Izzy Ashburn leads the team with 0.50 service aces per set.
