For the first time in program history, the Wisconsin volleyball team ended the regular season undefeated. In the COVID-shortened, Big Ten-only season, the top-ranked Badgers (15-0, 15-0 B1G) ended the conference season with a 25-20, 25-14, 25-18 sweep of Michigan on Friday afternoon in the UW Field House.
For the second-straight match, Wisconsin dominated the Wolverines (4-9, 4-9). As a team, Wisconsin hit .313 (46 kills – 10 errors – 115 attempts) while holding Michigan to .168 (35-14-125). The Badgers were consistent throughout the match, hitting .282 in the first set, .333 in the second, and .327 in the third.
Wisconsin was exceptionally tough at the service line where senior Grace Loberg set a new career-high with five service aces, more than half of the team’s total of nine. On the other side of the net, the Wolverines scored only four aces.
Five Badgers put away seven-or-more kills as senior Dana Rettke and Loberg shared match-high honors with 11 putaway. Both hit over .400 as Rettke hit .455 (11-1-22) and Loberg connected on .423 (11-0-26). Loberg also earned her first double-double of the season and 11th of her career as she added 10 digs.
Senior Molly Haggerty added nine kills while freshman Devyn Robinson (8) and junior Danielle Hart (7) also had strong offensive showings. Michigan was led by Jess Robinson and May Pertofsky with eight kills apiece.
Senior Sydney Hilley put up 34 assists at the setter and added nine digs to just miss a double-double. In addition to Loberg in double-figure digs, three other Badgers tallied 10-or-more saves. Lauren Barnes led all players with 19 digs while Giorgia Civita and Haggerty both recorded 10 saves.
On the block, Rettke led the team with five stuffs with the team out blocking Michigan 9-2.
Wisconsin led almost the entire match with the exception of a 2-0 lead by the Wolverines in the first set. The second set was also tied three times early.
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