OMAHA, Neb. - After a close first set, the No. 1-seed Wisconsin volleyball team swept Brigham Young in the third round of the NCAA Championship Tournament on Saturday evening at the CHI Health Center Convention Center. Wisconsin (17-0) won its Sweet Sixteen match-up with a 25-20, 25-17, 25-12 sweep of the Cougars (17-2) to remain undefeated on the season.
The Badgers led most of the first set but were not able to pull away from the feisty Cougars until late. Wisconsin led 15-14 before a kill by Grace Loberg and a service ace by Giorgia Civita made it 17-14. Wisconsin's greatest lead occurred after a BYU attack error, putting the Badgers up by five (23-18). Kills by Danielle Hart and Devyn Robinson gave Wisconsin the first set.
That winning momentum was carried into the second set as Wisconsin pulled out a 25-17 win. The Badgers owned the third set, winning by a 13-point spread, one of their largest spreads of the season. UW also recorded zero attack errors during the third set, hitting .486 (18 kills - 0 errors - 37 attempts).
As a team, the Badgers hit .333 (47-10-111) more than doubling up the Cougars who hit .152 (32-17-99).
Senior Molly Haggerty recorded a season-high 14 kills to lead all players while hitting a season-best .500 (14-0-28). Robinson added 10 kills while hitting .500 (11-2-18).
Wisconsin dominated behind the service line, recording six service aces behind two apiece from Civita and Loberg while giving up only one ace.
Defensively, the Badgers had a total nine blocks behind a match six stuffs from
Dana Rettke. Robinson added five blocks.
Lauren Barnes led all players with 16 digs as both teams recorded 47 saves.
Straight from the Court
Head Coach Kelly Sheffield
"We are certainly excited to still be playing. I thought we played pretty well for most of tonight against a really good BYU team … I thought our passers did a really good job, attackers did a really solid job and we limited long runs for them which was certainly a positive.
"I've watched (Haggerty) for a lot of years. There's been a lot of national championships as a club player, won four state championships in a row and then the NCAA tournaments here. When the moments get bigger, she gets so much better … she was great tonight.
"We got stronger as the match went on, especially offensively. Devyn (Robinson) certainly set the tone with the first point and announced her authority and I thought Syd (Hilley) did a really good job."
Molly Haggerty
"It's a little different because usually this is in December but it being in the spring, we have been waiting for this moment for so long. I love winning championships and so right now that is what I'm aiming to do with my team and I think that puts us one step closer to getting it."
Sydney Hilley
"I think something really special about our team is how balanced we are. If someone is not having a great offensive night, then someone can take the load. I thought that Molly, Grace, and Devyn all did a great job of putting balls down when I gave them the opportunity. I just love how I have so many options and everyone is so talented and I feel confident that no matter where I set that we can get a kill."
Notes to Know
- Wisconsin improves to 53-23 in its 24th NCAA Tournament appearance.
- The Badgers up their undefeated season opening to 17-0.
- UW has hit better than .300 in 14 of 15 matches this season.
- Wisconsin has won its last 13 sets.
- Senior Lauren Barnes went over 500 career digs at Wisconsin and has recorded 10-plus digs over the last six consecutive matches. The 5-foot-6 libero also had a career high seven assists.
- Freshman Devyn Robinson tied her career high with five blocks, which she set vs. Weber State in the second round of the tournament.
Up Next
The Badgers take on No. 8 Florida in the NCAA Regional finals on Monday at 5:30 p.m. from the CHI Health Center Arena. The match will air live on ESPNU.
