Wisconsin volleyball climbs to No. 3

The Wisconsin Badgers once again sold out a homestand this weekend as No. 10 Penn State and Rutgers came to town. The home crowds had much to be excited about as Wisconsin finally solved its Penn State problem, defeating the Nittany Lions 3-1 and followed up that huge win with a sweep of Rutgers on Sunday.

With the victories and a loss by Texas, the Badgers moved up to No. 3 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association Top 25 poll on Monday. With Nebraska and Minnesota claiming the top two spots, that puts the Big Ten at the top of the college volleyball world once again. Senior Lauren Carlini was named Big Ten Setter of Week for her big games against the Nittany Lions and Scarlet Knights.

Friday vs. Penn State

The Badgers defeated Penn State for the first time since 2011 on Friday, knocking off the No. 9 Nittany Lions 3-1 at a sold-out Field House. Junior Lauryn Gillis (21 kills) had a huge night, along with Molly Haggerty (16) and Haleigh Nelson (13) as the Badgers out-hit Penn State .331 to .216 (UW hit a blistering .667 in the first set and .452 in the second). Kelli Bates (22 digs) and senior Lauren Carlini (57 assists, 17 digs, four blocks) also had big matches.

Sunday vs. Rutgers

The Badgers ripped through the Scarlet Knights on Sunday, sweeping them 3-0. Wisconsin hit a whopping .429 in the first set winning 25-14. The Badgers dominated the stat line with 61 kills to Rutgers 23, with Roman Kriskova (18), Lauryn Gillis (16) and Kelli Bates (11) leading the way. Lauren Carlini (15), M.E. Dodge (15) and Amber MacDonald (13) had double-digit digs, as Wisconsin dominated the Scarlet Knights in that category as well 68-35.

Around the (Ranked) Big Ten

• No. 1 Nebraska: Defeated Illinois 3-0 in Lincoln; defeated Northwestern 3-0 in Lincoln.
• No. 2 Minnesota: Defeated Rutgers 3-0 in Minneapolis; defeated Penn State 3-0 in Minneapolis. Junior middle blocker Molly Lohman was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week.
• No. 11 Penn State: Lost to Wisconsin 3-1 in Madison; ;ost to Minnesota 3-0 in Minneapolis.
• No. 16 Michigan State: Defeated Indiana 3-0 in Bloomington; defeated Purdue 3-1 in West Lafayette.
• No. 17 Michigan: Lost to Purdue 3-1 in West Lafayette; lost to Indiana 3-1 in Bloomington.
• No. 22 Ohio State: Lost to Maryland 3-2 at College Park; defeated Maryland 3-0 in Columbus.
• Illinois dropped out of the top 25.