New look Wisconsin Badgers volleyball downs Kansas in 5

Ranked eighth to begin the year, Wisconsin defeated the 14th ranked Jayhawks by scores of 25-16, 18-25, 25-18, 26-28, and 15-10. The first match post Sarah Franklin, Devyn Robinson, Anna Smrek, CC Crawford, Julie Orzo, and others was led by a pair of transfers, Mimi Colyer and Allie Andrews. Colyer led the team with 26 kills and Andrews eight block assists.

Second year setter Charlie Fuerbringer had a well balanced game consisting of 45 assists, 20 digs, four kills, and two block assists. She did grab at her lower leg at one point during the fourth set, which later was revealed to be a cramp. Colyer, who Furerbringer continuously set when the team was in the “red zone”, also sat out towards the end of the fifth set due to cramps, whereas Furerbring pushed through, but her timing was off compared to earlier.

Freshman Badgers stepped up

Leading the way for freshmen on the court was libero Kristen Simon. She finished with 23 digs and had numerous plays where she dug balls out on the dive and preserved rallies. Additionally, Madison Quest had several big moments including a pair of set ending blocks and some nice attacks from the outside. Quest finished the contest with four block assists and one kill.

Up next for the Badgers is Texas University. Texas swept Creighton University during the Opening Spike Classic and is ranked fifth to begin the year. That matchup will be another early season test for the new look Wisconsin team.