(UW ATHLETICS MADISON, Wis. – The No. 7 Wisconsin volleyball team defeated Michigan (25-22, 25-22, 25-20) in straight sets for it’s 10th-consecutive victory on the second annual Silent Set Match at the UW Field House.
The Badgers (11-1, 4-0) broke the silence in set one on their ninth point with a service ace from setter Addy Horner, who filled in for an injured setter Charlie Fuerbringer in the early stages of the match.
Halfway through the set, the Wolverines (11-4, 1-3) built a 18-14 advantage to tie their largest lead of the match. UW provided a quick response, rallying to win six of the next eight points to tie it up at 20-20, as middle blocker Carter Booth and outside hitter Mimi Colyer combined on a block to even the score.
With a Badgers’ 24-22 lead, defensive specialist Maile Chan entered with a clutch serve to get Michigan out of position—allowing middle blocker Alicia Andrew to cap off the set with her second kill in a row and provide Wisconsin with a 1-0 advantage.
Set two began as a back-and-forth affair before UW was able to separate in the latter half. Early on, the Badgers went out in front at 12-11 with the help of kills turned in by right side Madison Quest and Colyer—capping off a 4-0 run.
Wisconsin and the Wolverines found themselves in a deadlock at 20-20 once again, but the help of an attack error and one kill apiece from Quest and Colyer allowed the Badgers to take a lead and claim the second set. Outside hitter Una Vajagic completed set two with a kill, tallying double-digit totals in her second consecutive match and fifth of the year with 10.
UW utilized a pair of 4-0 runs in set three to down the Wolverines, highlighted by back-to-back kills from Colyer to give themselves a 23-18 cushion. The senior put together another strong performance in the red and white, as she finished with a hitting percentage of .538 (23 – 2 – 39) to pace the Badgers.
Wisconsin went on to notch a fourth-straight sweep, each of which coming against conference foes. Booth and Andrew were forces in the middle, combining for nine kills on 18 attempts with zero hitting errors.
Horner concluded the match with career-highs in multiple categories, leading the way in the assists department with 35. The freshman added seven digs, a trio of blocks and a pair of service aces on the afternoon, too.
Defensively, libero Kristen Simon led the Badgers with 12 digs, marking her seventh match in double figures this season.
Notes:
- For the eighth time this season and in four consecutive matches, the Badgers hit .300 or better.
- The Badgers have now recorded 10+ blocks in six matches, including back-to-back matches against Michigan and Illinois.
- Career best 35 assists for freshman setter Addy Horner who replaced Charlie Fuerbringer in the first set. Horner added seven digs, three blocks and two service aces against Michigan
- With a 23 kill performance, senior Mimi Colyer has now totaled three matches with 20+ kills on the season. She also hit .538 against the Wolverines, marking it the fifth time this season where she has hit .500 or better.
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