RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 18: Wisconsin Badgers setter Charlie Fuerbringer (24) during a semifinal match between the Wisconsin Badgers and Kentucky Wildcats on December 18, 2025 at T-Mobile Arena in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Wisconsin Badgers kicked off the 2026 season over the weekend with a pair of high-profile televised matchups, facing the No. 3 Kentucky Wildcats on Friday before playing the No. 7 Louisville Cardinals on Saturday.
The opener was a fairly competitive matchup against Kentucky, but the Wildcats pulled away for a three-set sweep, winning 25-20, 26-24, 25-18. They hit .380 in comparison to Wisconsin’s .186, as the Badgers had 21 errors on the night.
The first set started off quite competitive, with Kentucky leading 8-7 after the first 15 points. But the Wildcats began to pull away with a three-point run. Wisconsin closed back in within one at 15-14, thanks to a pair of kills from senior transfer Eva Travis, but Kentucky finished off the set on a 7-3 run to win 25-20.
Wisconsin got out ahead in the second set, taking an early 10-7 lead, but things remained extremely competitive from there, with both sides tying at 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24 apiece. Wisconsin had a chance to steal the set, but back-to-back kills from Lizzie Carr gave Kentucky a 26-24 lead and the second set altogether.
It was the opposite in the third set, as the Wildcats were the ones who got off to a hot start before the Badgers bounced back, getting within one at 11-10. Kentucky began to pull away with a 4-1 run, but the Badgers bounced back to get within two at 15-13. Unfortunately, that would be the closest they came to winning the third set, as the Wildcats cruised through the back half of the set to win 25-18 and secure the sweep.
Eva Travis led the way with 13 kills for the Badgers, while freshmen Audrey Flanagan and Lynney Tarnow had nine and eight, respectively. Charlie Fuerbringer led the way with 36 assists, while also having eight digs.
On Kentucky’s side, Brooklyn Deleye had 12 kills, while Morgan Gaerte had 10 of her own.
The following night, Wisconsin took on No. 7 Louisville, which was coming off a win over No. 8 Texas A&M. And that night had a much different tune, as Wisconsin cruised to a 25-18, 25-20, 25-18 sweep.
After a 21-error night against Kentucky, the Badgers had just 11 on Saturday, hitting .327 to Louisville’s .234.
The first set started off quite competitive, with both sides tied up at 10 apiece through the early stages. Wisconsin then went on a 4-0 run and never led by fewer than two the rest of the set, winning 25-18.
The Badgers got off to a quick start in the second set, leading 11-5 after a separate 4-0 run. From there, the Badgers never trailed by more than three as they closed out that set 25-20. The third set was much the same, as Wisconsin started out with a 5-1 lead and once again kept their distance throughout, cruising to another 25-18 victory.
It was a strong team effort, with Flanagan leading the kills in kills with 13. Grace Egan had nine digs and three aces as well, while Fuerbringer had 33 assists and eight digs. Fuerbringer was named MVP of the match.
Wisconsin will now shift its efforts to the Opening Spike Classic next week, where they’ll take on No. 5 Stanford on Friday. First serve is set for 8:00 p.m. on ESPN2.
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