UW Badgers sweep Maryland in volleyball

(UW ATHLETICS) COLLEGE PARK, MD –  The No. 7 Wisconsin women’s volleyball team got back in the win column on Sunday, handing Maryland a loss in straight sets (25-20, 25-19, 25-12). 

The Badgers (12-2, 5-1) erased an early deficit in set one, utilizing a 4-0 run to cut into the Terrapins’ (7-9, 0-6) advantage. A back row kill from outside hitter Mimi Colyer gave UW it’s first lead of the match at 15-14. 

Middle blocker Carter Booth and Colyer each earned a pair of kills to wrap up set one and provide the Badgers a 1-0 lead, as they went on to win the set 25-20. 

Maryland got out to a hot start once again to kick off set two, taking a 9-4 advantage. After climbing back, Booth notched a kill from the middle to put the Badgers out in front at 15-14. Setter Addy Horner continued to step up for UW, as the freshman racked up back-to-back service aces to contribute to a 4-0 run. 

From there, the Badgers never looked back with the help of their stingy defense—capping off set two with a kill from Colyer after a solo block from senior Alicia Andrew to win 25-19. 

UW used that momentum effectively in set three, as the Badgers created a 9-2 cushion with the help of their strong serve. Right side Madison Quest tallied back-to-back service aces, in addition to a kill to help guide Wisconsin to a 7-0 run. 

The Badgers then relied on their block to win seven-of-eight rallies in the middle of set three, as Booth led the way with three during that span. 

Outside hitter Una Vajagic got to double-digit kills for the sixth time this season with the help of a strong finish to set three, as the redshirt sophomore turned in back-to-back slams to earn points for Wisconsin. 

Booth closed out the match with her sixth kill of the afternoon, as the senior contributed to another efficient showing from the middle blockers. The Denver native turned in a hitting percentage of .825 (6 – 0 – 7), her highest mark in Big Ten play. Andrew was close behind, swinging at a .625 clip (5 – 0 – 8). 

Horner continued to be a steady presence for the Badgers, highlighted by career-bests with 36 assists, three service aces and a trio of kills. 

Colyer wrapped up the standouts for UW with her third double-double of the season, notching 12 kills and 11 digs.