Badgers rank among volleyball favorites
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MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Preseason prognostications offer evidence of how difficult it is to separate the top teams in Big Ten women’s volleyball.
Nebraska is the No. 1 team in the American Volleyball Coaches Association poll. No. 3 Wisconsin is the Big Ten coaches’ pick to win a fourth straight conference championship.
Wisconsin beat Nebraska in a five-set thriller for the 2021 NCAA championship, and no one would be surprised to see a rematch when the national semifinals and final are held in Omaha, Nebraska, in December.
"It was very heartbreaking to get to that point and not to walk away winning a championship," Cornhuskers outside hitter Madi Kubik said. "But we have to look at this season as a fresh start and new year and a new group. We're really excited for the opportunity for this group and these people to work hard to hopefully put ourselves back into a place where we can win a national championship in Omaha."
The Badgers (31-3) will again feature a strong lineup that's set to include Julia Orzol, Devyn Robinson, Anna Smrek and Danielle Hart, all of whom have starting experience, and will be joined by six newcomers, including four highly ranked transfers. The biggest questions are finding a successor to five-year starting setter Sydney Hilley and replacing the production of 2021 national player of the year Dana Rettke.
No. 5 Minnesota and No. 7 Ohio State are other title contenders from the Big Ten, the deepest conference in women’s volleyball with seven teams in the top 25.