Badgers Win Five Sets
Wisconsin Badgers Defeat Florida in Five Sets Ahead of Auburn Matchup
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Key Points
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For viewers, Wisconsin vs. Auburn was set to be broadcast on ESPN Madison (radio) and televised nationwide on FS1, with livestream options also available via Fubo.
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The coverage specified that Auburn’s first loss to Wisconsin came at the UW Fieldhouse, and that the Tigers then had “a few extra hours of rest” before facing the Badgers.
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Penn State’s Spikes Under the Lights appearance at AT&T Stadium was described as “game 2” of the event, with the Nittany Lions taking the court against SMU on Aug. 27, 2026.
Wisconsin's No. 5 volleyball team defeated Florida 15-13 in a thrilling fifth set on September 2, securing the Badgers' first home victory of the 2026 season. The match went the distance at the sold-out UW Field House in Madison, with Wisconsin outlasting the Gators through a tight finishing stretch that saw Just Women's Sports note Florida's costly service errors down the stretch.
Freshman outside hitter Audrey Flanagan led Wisconsin with a career-high 18 kills and 9 digs, while Kamryn Chaney answered for Florida with a match-high 22 kills and 5 blocks. The victory marks Wisconsin's first triumph over Florida at home in program history.
Badgers' Freshman Class Steps Up in Clutch Fifth Set
Wisconsin's roster overcame early-season injuries to veterans by leaning on its freshman core. Grace Egan contributed 17 kills and 2 aces, while Lynney Tarnow posted a career-high 16 kills on a .429 hitting percentage with 5 blocks. Sophomore setter Charlie Fuerbringer orchestrated the offense with 55 assists and 15 digs, keeping the Badgers competitive through a back-and-forth match.
The Badgers trailed 13-14 in the decisive fifth set but recovered with two straight points to clinch the win. Badger Notes highlighted how this young roster displayed "remarkable composure down the stretch" despite facing pressure situations and forced adjustments.
Florida's Blocking Prowess Couldn't Overcome Execution Errors
Florida's defense was formidable, with the team posting 16 total blocks led by middle blocker Alec Rothe's career-high 11. The Gators' blocking strategy kept sets competitive and forced Wisconsin into difficult rotations. However, Just Women's Sports reported that Florida committed four crucial service errors in the fifth set alone, disrupting their own rhythm at critical moments.
The Gators finished with 17 total team errors and seven service errors from key attacker Selena Leban, according to box score data. Despite Kamryn Chaney's dominant 22-kill performance, Florida (57 kills) was outpaced by Wisconsin's 71 kills across 171 total attacks versus Florida's 155.
Wisconsin Breaks Two-Game Skid to Improve Record
The victory improved Wisconsin to 2-3 after entering the night at 1-3 following early-season setbacks. The match drew 7,229 fans to the sold-out UW Field House, marking the program's first home win of the campaign. WRUF noted the significance of Wisconsin finally defeating Florida on its home court, a milestone in the rivalry.
Wisconsin now turns its focus to Auburn, which arrives with added rest after its earlier game in the week. The Badgers-Tigers matchup will air nationwide on FS1, with regional coverage on ESPN Madison and streaming options via Fubo, making it a high-visibility contest in the college volleyball calendar.
Penn State's Loss at AT&T Stadium Marks Historic Women's Volleyball Venue
Separately, the inaugural "Spikes Under the Lights" showcase at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, represented a landmark moment for women's sports. No. 10 Penn State fell to No. 11 SMU 2-0 (24-22, 21-18) in Game 2 of the exhibition on August 27, as Black Shoe Diaries reported the Nittany Lions were swept in their match.
The event, which featured top-ranked programs competing at an NFL venue for the first time, included a $1,000,000 prize pool. No. 1 Nebraska defeated No. 17 Florida 2-0 in the opening match before ultimately winning the exhibition final against SMU, underscoring the high caliber of competition and commercial investment in marquee women's volleyball showcases.
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