Kansas City, Mo. — The No. 3 Wisconsin volleyball team faced a tough challenge in the NCAA National Semifinals against No. 1 Kentucky. The match went the distance, ending in a nail-biting five sets (25-12, 22-25, 25-21, 24-26, 13-15).
Mimi Colyer shone brightly, delivering a career-high 32 kills with a .348 hitting percentage. This marked her 10th double-double of the season, as she also contributed 12 digs. Carter Booth, another standout player, finished with a remarkable .633 hitting percentage, recording 21 kills in her final college match.
Charlier Fuerbringer and Una Vajagic also made their marks with double-doubles. Fuerbringer tallied a career-best 63 assists alongside 14 digs. Vajagic added 10 kills and 12 digs, continuing her solid performance throughout the tournament.
Wisconsin started strong, quickly establishing a lead in the first set. They converted all their first 10 attacks, with Colyer and Booth leading the charge. Booth’s seventh kill clinched the set 25-12, giving Wisconsin a 1-0 lead.
The second set turned competitive. Wisconsin led 20-18, but Kentucky surged ahead with six straight points, taking the set 25-22. They tied the match 1-1 as Eva Hudson delivered a match-winning kill.
In set three, Wisconsin regained their momentum, leading throughout to win 25-21. The Badgers wrapped up the set with a strong finish from Vajagic.
The fourth set was intense, filled with back-and-forth rallies. Wisconsin initially led before Kentucky mounted a comeback. They forced extra points, ultimately winning 26-24 to tie the match again at 2-2.
As the fifth set unfolded, Kentucky quickly took an 8-2 lead. Wisconsin fought hard, closing the gap with strong plays from Colyer and Booth. However, a final block from Kentucky sealed the match, ending Wisconsin’s season at 13-15.
The Badgers concluded the year with a 28-5 record, marking their seventh appearance in the NCAA National Semifinals.
Head Coach Kelly Sheffield reflected on the season, saying, “This is one of the most successful seasons I’ve been part of. There’s pain, but also pride.”
### Notable Stats and Insights:
– Wisconsin is now 76-28 in the NCAA Tournament.
– They hold a 4-4 record in NCAA National Championship matches.
– Colyer’s 32 kills is the highest in her career and marks her 20th consecutive match with double-digit kills.
– Libero Kristen Simon achieved a personal best with 376 digs this season, surpassing former Badger Lauren Carlini.
– Booth’s outstanding performance continued to shine with her career-best kill count.
This match not only showcased thrilling volleyball but also highlighted the talent of these athletes as they faced off at the highest level. As the competition continues to grow, fans can look forward to more exciting seasons ahead in collegiate volleyball. For more updates and detailed statistics, check out the NCAA’s official site.
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