UW sweeps UCLA to reach Elite Eight in NCAA volleyball
MADISON – Kelly Sheffield's volleyball team must have a large supply of brooms.
Fourth-seeded Wisconsin entered the NCAA regional semifinals against No. 13 UCLA having won 12 consecutive sets and seven consecutive matches.
The Badgers overcame a sluggish start in the first set Thursday night at the UW Field House to sweep the Bruins, 25-16, 25-18, 25-17.
UW (28-3) is set to host 12th-seeded Minnesota (23-8) in the regional final at 7 p.m. Saturday (ESPNU).
Minnesota advanced with a five-set victory over No. 5 Baylor in the first match Thursday. The Gophers overcame a 6-3 deficit in the fifth set to win, 15-10.
The Badgers won both matches against Minnesota en route to winning the Big Ten title. UW swept the Gophers on Oct. 1 in Madison and rallied to win in five sets Nov. 21 in Minneapolis.
"The last time we played was an epic match," said Sheffield, whose team is one victory away from its third consecutive trip to the national semifinals. "It was great volleyball on both sides. …It is a program we have a lot of respect for.
"It is a great opportunity in front of us. That is what you want as an athlete. You want to be in positions where you have an opportunity to do great things.
"Both teams have had great seasons. Both teams have thoroughbreds on their rosters. It should just be incredibly entertaining."
UW's victory over UCLA (25-6) was entertaining – for the home fans.
Julia Orzol, the Big Ten freshman of the year, led UW in kills with 11 and hit .381 against the Bruins. Devyn Robinson (eight kills, .353), Dana Rettke (eight kills, .412) and Grace Loberg (eight kills, .318) were also huge.
Sydney Hilley, the Big Ten setter of the year, had 30 assists and 14 digs.
UW outhit UCLA, .357-.143.
UCLA was sharp early and hit .545 in building a 9-5 lead in the opening set. The Badgers, hitting just .083, responded with a 6-0 run to take an 11-9 lead and never trailed after that in taking the set, 25-16.
That run, sparked by a long rally won by UW, turned the match in the Badgers' favor.
"I remember Kelly saying that is what changes the tide, the effort that we put in," Hilley said. "But when we are down like that there is no panic. We know that everyone we play in the tournament is going to be really good and they're going to go on some runs. "We've just got to worry about ourselves.” There was little reason to worry Thursday. Robinson ended the match, UCLA's season and sent the Badgers into the Elite Eight with a kill.