IOWA CITY, Iowa – A dominating hitting performance led the fifth-ranked Wisconsin volleyball team to a 27-25, 25-15, 25-19 win over Iowa Friday nigh

The outside hitting duo of Sarah Franklin and Julia Orzol combined for 31 of the Badgers' (12-3, 6-1 BIG) 47 kills in the match. Franklin led all hitters with 20 kills, her second 20-plus kill match of the season, while Orzol added 11 kills.

Franklin also hit a match high .567 (20-3-30) as UW hit .367 (47-11-98) while holding Iowa (7-11, 1-6) to .138 (36-31-109).

Wisconsin outblocked the Hawkeyes 15.0 to 4.0 behind seven blocks apiece from Caroline Crawford and Danielle Hart. Izzy Ashburn led the Badgers in assists, putting up 21 helpers while MJ Hammill added 12 helpers.

Behind a match-high 15 digs from freshman Gulce Guctekin, the Badgers edged Iowa 41-37 in digs.

Both teams had four service aces in the match with Hammill sharing match-high honors with two.
 
The first set was a challenge as the teams battled through 10 ties and five lead changes. Wisconsin led by three points (11-8) before Iowa started a comeback to tie the score at 13. The set was also tied at 23 before Iowa served for set point at 24-23. A kill from Franklin tied the set at 24 but the Hawkeyes  served for point again at 25-24. UW three straight points, capped off by a block from Hart and Anna Smrek to take the first period.
 
Wisconsin broke open the second set with three 4-0 runs and cruised to a 10-point win. In the third set, the Badgers used a 3-0 run to break a 12-12 tie, putting the match out of reach for the Hawkeyes

Straight off the Court

Head Coach Kelly Sheffield on Bramschreiber's return
"That last dig was a great dig.  We got some separation in the second set off her serve and that was really good. I thought it was a long time coming and I thought there was an awful lot to like."
 
On Sarah Franklin
"On the bus ride over here, probably for about an hour and a half, she spent time with the setters basically evaluating how to get on the same page with the setters. It was an awesome conversation."
 
Sarah Franklin
"There was so many great things working tonight. We had some great passes and great sets, and I just think we gritted it out and that is what we are working on as a team. We are really making that process every game."

Notes to know

• Freshman Gulce Guctekin led all players with 15 digs, her 13th-straight match with 10-or-more saves. 
• Redshirt sophomore Sarah Franklin led all players with 20 kills and hit .567 (20-3-30), her second 20-plus kill match of the season. It was her sixth-straight match with double-figure kills. 
• Grad Shanel Bramschreiber made her season debut playing in two sets, serving seven times and recording one dig. 
• Wisconsin extends its winning streak to a season-best five matches.
• Sophomore Anna Smrek put up a career-high two assists.
• The Badgers held their sixth Big Ten opponent to a hitting percentage of less than .180, including the last five under .140.

Up next

The Badgers return home to the UW Field House to face No.24 Michigan Sunday at noon.  The match will be broadcasted on ESPN and it can be heard on Fox Sports 1070.