(UW ATHLETICS) MADISON – The No. 6 Wisconsin volleyball team fell to the No. 3 Kentucky in straight sets (20-25, 24-26, 18-25), as the Wildcats handed the Badgers the loss in their season opener.
Neither team found separation early on in set one, as Wisconsin continued to hold a close chase behind the Wildcats. The Badgers (0-1, 0-0) gained momentum early thanks to a pair of kills from outside hitter Audrey Flanagan. The freshman collected nine kills on the night.
The Badgers rallied back with a 4-0 spark off a pair of kills from outside hitter Eva Travis and a Badger block. Kentucky was able to close it out, however, fighting off Wisconsin’s surge and win the set 25-20.
Wisconsin found a groove early in the second set, relying on a strong offensive output and consistency from the service line. The Badgers put up a strong 5-2 run to build a lead that was capped by a kill from Jaela Auguste. The junior’s efforts helped lead the team with a .429 hitting percentage.
The set remained back-and-forth as the two teams traded points late, but it was not enough as the Wildcats closed out set two, 26-24.
Freshman Lynney Tarnow lit up in the second and third sets, providing consistency in the middle. The freshman put up eight kills and tallied two blocks, including a clutch showing to cut down Kentucky’s lead by one early in the third frame.
The Wildcats then rattled off five straight rallies, en route to handing Wisconsin its first loss of the season despite trying to mount a late comeback.
Kentucky’s physical front and precision forced Wisconsin into a .186 hitting percentage (42 – 21 – 113), tallying only eight attack errors of its own.
Notes:
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The Badgers move to 4-6 all-time against the Wildcats
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Freshman Anna Bardaro wore the libero jersey in the third set
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Senior Grace Lopez served as a serving specialist the first two sets, but started on the right side in the third set.
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Junior Jaela Auguste led the team with a .429 hitting percentage (7-1-14).
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Wisconsin totaled 21 hitting errors compared to Kentucky’s eight.
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Freshman middle blocker Lynney Tarnow tallied eight kills on 14 attempts with just one hitting error in her collegiate debut.
Up Next: Wisconsin will return to the court to take on No. 7 Louisville in the second day of competition at the AVCA First Serve in Milwaukee on Saturday, Aug. 22. First serve is set for 3 p.m. CT and will be televised on FOX.
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