MADISON -- The No. 1 Wisconsin volleyball team is still perfect at 13-0 this season and have yet to drop a set in Big Ten play, as the Badgers swept Michigan, 25-13, 25-15, 25-14, Sunday afternoon at the UW Field House.

Wisconsin (13-0, 4-0) took control of the first set and didn't look back. After a service ace from senior MJ Hammill, the Badgers were ahead 10-3. A 5-0 serving run from Sarah Franklin extended the UW lead (16-5). Wisconsin didn't allow the Wolverines (2-11,0-4) more than two consecutive points for the entirety of the first set, taking it 25-13. 

The Badgers continued their momentum into the second set. Another service run from Sarah Franklin put UW out in front (6-3). They increased the lead and forced a Michigan timeout at 18-11. The Wolverines came out of that timeout on a 3-0 run, but the Badgers sided out and took the set 25-15. 

The third set followed the same story as the proceeding two sets as Wisconsin maintained a steady, comfortable lead. The final frame was highlighted by six kills from Devyn Robinson, as well as 4.0 team blocks.  

Gülce Güçtekin finished the match with a diving save on a dig, followed by a service ace. The Badgers took the set, 25-14. 

The 2013 National Runners-up were recognized in between the second and third set, for the team's ten year anniversary. Athletic Director Chris McIntosh spoke to the crowd about the legacy that team has left for the program. 

 

Welcome home 2013 National Runners-up! pic.twitter.com/3aiYGiPtQb

— Wisconsin Volleyball (@BadgerVB) October 1, 2023

Robinson led UW with 13 kills as Temi Thomas-Ailara was close behind with 10 kills, and Franklin added nine. The Badgers hit .416 (42 kills - 5 errors - 89 attempts) for their best hitting percentage of the season. 

Wisconsin held Michigan to just .109 (27 - 16 - 101) as outside hitter Kendall Murray led the Wolverines with six kills. 

Izzy Ashburn finished the match with 23 assists, and Hammill added 12. Ashburn added 12 digs to complete a double-double, as Julia Orzol tacked on 12 digs as well. 

The Badgers recorded 11.0 team blocks, while Michigan tallied only 3.0. CC Crawford led the team with 6 blocks herself. UW finished the match with seven aces, two from Hammill and two from Guctekin. 

Straight off the court

Head coach Kelly Sheffield
On the overall match: "I thought our efforts today were really good. We were pursuing balls, putting up really good balls in those pursuits, taking good swings, and working hard in transition."
On the 2013 Runners-up return: "Any time you have a coaching change, you have a choice, the players that are there, the recruits that are coming in, you're either buying in or you're not and they were all the way in. They worked hard, they worked together, and they trusted the staff. It raised the bar for themselves, for the coaching staff, and us today. There is so much from that group embedded into this program."

Opposite Devyn Robinson
On maintaining a competitive mindset: "One thing we say in the locker room a lot is just stacking the good. We want to be consistently good and not occasionally great"

Setter Izzy Ashburn
On the 2013 Runners-up return: "They said yesterday, something about it's an honor to be back here and hear him say 10 years ago that you're going to be a team remembered in 10 years. If you want to be memorable and to come back in 10 years, do great things. Just thinking about that and what they've done for this program is incredible"

Notes to know

• With the win, the Badgers recorded their 22^nd consecutive victory over a Big Ten opponent dating back to the 2022 season, setting a new school record.
• The Badgers improve to a 16-match conference win streak at the Field house, dating back to 2022.
• Wisconsin has now won 15-consecutive sets their longest of the season.
• Wisconsin hit .416 (27-16-101) against Michigan, the team's highest hitting percentage so far this season.
• Junior Julia Orzol recorded double figure digs (12) for the 12^th time this season.
• Setter Izzy Ashburn tallied her seventh double-double of the season with 23 assists and 12 digs.
• For the 12^th time this season, the Badgers outblocked their opponent. Wisconsin had 11 blocks, while Michigan had three.

The Badgers are on the road again as they play at Iowa on Wednesday night. First serve is set for 7 p.m. and the game will broadcasted on B1G+ ($).