MADISON, Wis. -- For the sixth time in program history and the fourth time in the last five seasons, No. 3 Wisconsin (30-3) is making an appearance in the NCAA National Semifinals this week. No. 1 Nebraska (31-1) takes on No. 4 Pittsburgh (29-4) in the first semifinal at 6 p.m. (CT) on Thursday at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. The Badgers take on No. 5 Texas (26-4) in the second semifinal at approximately 8:30 p.m. (CT). Both matches air on ESPN. Winners advance to the NCAA Championship on Sunday at 2 p.m. (CT) live on ABC.
1. ALL-AMERICAN AWARDS: Four members of the Wisconsin volleyball team have been named 2023 All-Americans by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA), the organization announced on Wednesday. Senior
Sarah Franklin earned first-team honors after earning third-team accolades in 2022. She becomes just the fifth Badger to earn a first-team award. Junior
Anna Smrek earns her first All-America honor, being recognized on the second team. Sophomore
Carter Booth also becomes a first-time All-American with her third-team honor. Senior
Devyn Robinson earns her third All-America award, being named to the honorable mention team this season.
2. TOURNAMENT RESUME: The Badgers improve to 69-25 in the program's 27th NCAA tournament appearance. UW is 39-9 under Head Coach
Kelly Sheffield in his 11th year in the championship. Sheffield's Wisconsin teams have made five appearances in the NCAA National Semifinals—2013, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023, winning the championship in 2021.
3. ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM: Four Badgers were named to the NCAA Madison Region All-Tournament team—
Carter Booth, Julia Orzoł, and
Devyn Robinson while
Sarah Franklin was named the regional MVP. Franklin averaged 4.38 kills per set while Booth added 2.00 kills and 2.00 blocks per set. Robinson chipped in 2.38 kills and 1.38 blocks per set while Orzoł had 4.00 digs per set.
4. CAME TO BLOCK: On the season, Wisconsin leads the nation with 3.09 blocks per set, but in NCAA play, UW has upped that to 3.68 blocks per set. Over the last four matches
Carter Booth leads the team with 1.93 blocks per set while
CC Crawford adds 1.71 blocks per set.
Anna Smrek (1.57) and
Devyn Robinson (1.07) also average over a block per set.
5. WINNING WAYS: The Badgers have won 30 matches this season, the eighth time in program history to win 30-or-more contests. The modern-day record (best 3-of-5) is 33 wins in 2000.
6. CONNECTING ON OFFENSE: Wisconsin has also upped its team hitting percentage in NCAA play, connecting on .329 percent of its attacks. On the season, UW ranks second nationally with a .313 hitting percentage.
Carter Booth ranks third nationally at .444 on the season and ups her hitting to .472 in NCAA play.
