No. 5 Wisconsin volleyball finished out non-conference play with a bang on Saturday, winning the Badger Classic with a 25–8, 25–10, 25–11 sweep of Southern Mississippi. It may have been Wisconsin’s most complete win of the year, as the Badgers held Southern Miss. to a season-low –.043 while hitting a season-high .461 as a team.
Seniors outside hitters Lauryn Gillis (11 kills, .500) and Kelli Bates (nine kills) led the way on offense. Redshirt sophomore Madison Duello hit .714 along with five kills and freshman middle blocker Dana Rettke (nine kills, .571, 5 blocks) continued her dominant non-conference play.
BADGERS WIN! pic.twitter.com/aGjj8iPVpr
— Wisconsin Volleyball (@BadgerVB) September 17, 2017
Brett Farve was in attendance at the match in support of his daughter Breleigh, an outside hitter for the Golden Eagles.
Wisconsin Badger VBall and their awesome fans THANK YOU for your kindness to Breleigh!!! Greatest fans in sports!!!!! Awesome experience
— Brett Favre (@Favre4Official) September 17, 2017
Absolutely awesome seeing @Favre4Official at the Field House tonight! #Favre4Ever pic.twitter.com/qBrDlr48FH
— Chad Mosley (@ChadMosley24) September 17, 2017
The win was Wisconsin’s second victory over a Marquette team in the tournament as the Badgers knocked off Golden Eagles 19–25, 25–13, 25–21, 26–24 on Thursday.
Bates (17 kills, .424) led Wisconsin in kills against Marquette, while Gillis (12 kills) and Duello (11 kills) also had big matches. Sophomore libero M.E. Dodge had a career-high 21 digs. Rettke led the way on defense with seven blocks.
Led by seniors @kellibates04 and @lololoyourboat_ the #Badgers down in-state rival Marquette on Thursday night. pic.twitter.com/lXFwksAhn2
— Wisconsin Volleyball (@BadgerVB) September 15, 2017
The Badgers begin Big Ten play next weekend at the Field House with a pair of matches against No. 23 Michigan State (Friday, 7 p.m.) and No. 21 Michigan (Sunday, 2 p.m.).