Wisconsin volleyball secures win over UW-Milwaukee as coach flags effort concerns

The sixth-ranked Wisconsin Badgers volleyball team improved their season record to 6-4 with a four-set victory over UW-Milwaukee on 18 September. The match, played at the UW Field House in Madison, served as the Badgers' non-conference finale before the commencement of Big Ten play. Despite the win, the performance raised questions about the team's consistency against a lower-ranked opponent.

Head coach Kelly Sheffield acknowledged that the Badgers did not dominate as expected against a Horizon League foe. Sheffield stated that while talent secured the match, the team "lost the effort," a situation he described as uncommon in Madison. The Badgers won the first two sets 25-18 and 25-18, but dropped the third set 22-25 before closing out the match 25-15.

The third set was particularly problematic for Wisconsin, as UW-Milwaukee recorded a match-high hitting percentage of .345. This figure was significantly higher than the .238 average the Badgers had allowed against power-conference opponents earlier in the season. Sheffield attributed the high number to a lack of defensive effort from his squad. Additionally, Wisconsin committed a match-high six service errors in the set and allowed a four-point run that turned a 20-19 lead into a 23-20 deficit.

This result marked a historical milestone for the rivalry, as it was the first time UW-Milwaukee had won a set against Wisconsin since 14 September 2013. That previous encounter coincided with Sheffield's first season in Madison. The Panthers, who had won five consecutive matches prior to this game, finished the 2025 season ranked No. 243 in the Ratings Percentage Index.

With their first eight matches played exclusively against power-conference teams, the Badgers used this fixture to broaden their playing rotation. Sixteen of the team's 18 players appeared in the match, with 12 of those players recording at least one kill. Bench players Kymora Scott and Natalie Wardlow featured prominently, with Scott recording 13 kills while hitting .579 and Wardlow finishing with eight kills and a .636 hitting percentage.

Wardlow praised the work of UW setter Charlie Fuerbringer, noting her ability to distribute the ball effectively to outside hitters. The match provided a necessary test for the Badgers as they prepare for the rigours of Big Ten competition, with the coaching staff now focused on translating raw talent into consistent effort.