These two teams have been in the top two of the ACVA rankings for five consecutive weeks and are the only teams — besides unranked Citadel — to remain undefeated this season. With respective 18-0 records, the Big Ten rivals have downed a combined 12 ranked programs and have absolutely dominated this season. This match is undoubtedly the most important match of the season thus far; it’ll likely determine the title favorite (timely with the second DI committee Top-10 rankings coming out next weekend). Here’s how these juggernauts compare:
Offense
The programs dually rank in the top-10 nationally for hitting percentage, Wisconsin hitting .315 and Nebraska at .297. Wisconsin’s Sarah Franklin is the reigning Big Ten Player of the Week from her 34-kill weekend that carried the Badgers over Rutgers and Maryland. The Michigan State transfer leads Wisconsin with 231 kills (3.85 K/S). Freshman Bergen Reilly controls the Nebraska offense, assisting 10.48 per set and picking up two consecutive Big Ten Setter of the Week honors. Her main targets are Florida transfer Merritt Beason and first-year Harper Murray, who have added almost 450 combined kills.
Defense
Saturday’s match will be a showcase of the block; Wisconsin MBs Carter Booth and Caroline Crawford go head-to-head with…
