Wisconsin Volleyball's NCAA Semifinal Showdown with Kentucky

The stage is set in Kansas City. After a season defined by grit, growth, and marquee victories, Wisconsin Volleyball has punched its ticket to the NCAA Tournament Semifinal for the seventh time in program history and fifth time in the past seven seasons. The Badgers are playing their best volleyball of the year at the perfect moment, but a massive blue wall stands between them and the NCAA Championship match – the Kentucky Wildcats, a No. 1 seed, riding a 26-match winning streak. 

Feel familiar? Flashback to the 2015 NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four, when an undefeated Kentucky team faced off against Wisconsin and the Badgers ended the Wildcats' perfect 38-0 season. Now, on the volleyball court, the stakes are just as high, the opponent just as formidable, and the opportunity for history is just as real. 

Here is everything you need to know as the Badgers look to tame the Wildcats and advance to the NCAA title match. 

Wisconsin's Regular Season: Getting Better and Better 

Wisconsin's road to Kansas City was forged in fire. The Badgers are currently 28-4 overall and finished second in the Big Ten with a 17-3 conference record. Their four losses all came to ranked teams: then-No. 5 Texas, then-No. 19 Penn State, then-No. 25 USC, and the juggernaut No. 1 Nebraska. 

But over the last month and a half, the Badgers have been nearly untouchable. They haven't dropped a match since Halloween, giving them a 13-match winning streak. During that stretch, they’ve dropped only four total sets. Wisconsin hasn't just been winning; it’s been dominating, and at the right time. 

The resume speaks for itself. Wisconsin notched 11 wins over ranked opponents this season (including the tournament). The individual accolades followed the team's success, with Mimi Colyer, Carter Booth, and Charlie Fuerbringer all earning All-Big Ten First Team honors. Head coach Kelly Sheffield was named AVCA North Region Coach of the Year, while Colyer is a finalist for AVCA National Player of the Year. 

Badger Dominance: The Road to the National Semifinal 

2025 marks the Badgers’ fifth national semifinal appearance in seven seasons and sixth under head coach Kelly Sheffield. Take a look at how they got here. 

Regional Final vs. No. 1 seed Texas 

In the Regional Final,  Wisconsin got redemption at No. 1 seed Texas . The Longhorns were responsible for one of Wisconsin's few regular-season losses, but the NCAA Regional Final told a different story. Wisconsin dismantled the four-time national champs in four sets to advance. It was a complete team effort: Mimi Colyer (23 kills), Una Vajagic (15 kills), and Carter Booth (11 kills) all surpassed double digit kills, while setter Charlie Fuerbringer dished out 57 assists as the Badgers hit .294. It was Wisconsin’s first win over Texas in Austin since 2016, and it couldn't have come at a better time. 

"I'm excited to still be playing with these guys," said head coach Kelly Sheffield after the win. "I love how far this team has gone. They have grown so incredibly much since the beginning of this season. I know nobody wants this thing to end." 

Regional Semifinal vs. No. 2 seed Stanford 

Before toppling Texas, the Badgers made history in the regional semifinal,  taking down No. 2 seed Stanford . It was the first time in program history Wisconsin defeated the Cardinal, and its offense did it in style, hitting a scorching .420 as a team—a program record for a four-set match. 

That match also saw Mimi Colyer etch her name in the record books, joining the elite 2,000 career kill club behind a masterful 27-kill performance and breaking Sarah Franklin’s school record for kills in a season. 

"I want to get in these big games and be competitive and play with a group of girls that want to win and need to win," Colyer said. "I think our team is doing just that, I think we're gelling at the right time, and we're gaining so much momentum." 

First Two Rounds 

Earlier in the tournament, the Badgers  swept North Carolina  in the second round, showcasing a suffocating defense where three players recorded double-figure digs. They also made  short work of Eastern Illinois .  

And Now... 

As Coach Sheffield noted, the team has found a "collective confidence." They aren't just a collection of talent; they are a cohesive unit peaking at exactly the right moment. 

Scouting Report: The Kentucky Juggernaut 

To advance to Sunday, Wisconsin must get past another No. 1 seed and one of the hottest teams in the country. Kentucky hasn't tasted defeat since September. The Wildcats are perfect in their last 26 matches, including a spotless 15-0 run through the SEC regular season and tournament. 

The Wildcats are led by a two-headed offensive monster: Eva Hudson and Brooklyn DeLeye. The duo is capable of taking over matches. Against UCLA in the tournament’s second round, they combined for a staggering 57 kills. As head coach Craig Skinner put it, they "carry the offensive load" and bail the team out of tough situations. 

But don't sleep on their defense. Kentucky's back row is relentless, anchored by libero Molly Tuozzo, who recently led the Cats to a three-set school record 66 digs against Wofford in the first round. This is a program with a winning pedigree—SEC Champions for nine consecutive seasons—and serious resilience. They proved that in the SEC Tournament title game, pulling off a reverse sweep against Texas to take the crown. 

Their path to the Final Four has been dominant: sweeps over Wofford, Cal Poly, and No. 3 seed Creighton, with their only dropped set coming against No. 8 seed UCLA. 

A Tight Matchup on the Books 

On paper, this is a clash of statistical titans. Both programs are playing some of the best team volleyball in the nation. 

The Quarterbacks 

The setting battle features two of the best. Wisconsin's Charlie Fuerbringer leads the nation with 12.32 assists per set, while her Kentucky counterpart, Kassie O'Brien, isn't far behind. She's seventh nationally with 11.02 assists per set. Because of their distribution, Wisconsin (first, 14.26) and Kentucky (second, 13.93) are the top two teams in the country in assists per set. 

The Offenses 

Expect fireworks. These two teams lead the nation in kills per set. Wisconsin sits at No. 1 (15.16), while Kentucky is right on its heels at No. 2 (14.95). However, the Badgers hold the edge in efficiency, hitting .325 (second nationally) compared to Kentucky's .295 (ninth). 

The Stars 

The match will feature two of the four AVCA Player of the Year finalists. Unanimous All-Big Ten First Team selection Mimi Colyer enters ranked third nationally with 5.39 kills per set, while Kentucky's Eva Hudson – the SEC Player of the Year – averages 4.54 per set.  

The Past 

History is on the Badgers' side in recent meetings—Wisconsin has won the last three matches against Kentucky. The powerhouse squads have never faced off in the postseason. 

Keys to Victory: How Wisconsin Wins 

So, how does Wisconsin pull off the upset and end Kentucky's streak? 

Win the Net Battle 

This match will likely come down to Wisconsin's elite offense trying to crack Kentucky's scrappy defense. While Wisconsin hits a blistering .325 (compared to UK's .295), Kentucky holds opponents to just .180 hitting and scoops up nearly 15 digs per set. 

The Badgers must stay patient and aggressive. They're elite at penetrating the opponent's block, having been stopped only 189.5 times all season. (In comparison, Kentucky has been blocked 241.5 times). If Colyer, Booth, and the Badgers can get through the block more than Hudson and DeLeye, the momentum shifts red. 

Feed the Hot Hands 

Setter Charlie Fuerbringer needs to continue her masterclass in distribution. Coming off a career-high 61 assists against Stanford, she has the keys. Balancing feeds between Colyer (outside) and Booth (middle) will be crucial to keeping the Wildcats off-balance. Booth has been automatic lately, hitting over .500 with zero errors in four of the last five matches. 

The X-Factor? 

While Colyer and Booth grab headlines, keep an eye on Una Vajagic. Fuerbringer calls her "the most underrated player in the whole NCAA," and the stats back it up. Vajagic hit .444 with 13 kills in the win over Stanford. If Kentucky over-commits to stopping the big names, Vajagic could be the one to step up. 

On, Wisconsin! 

Kentucky may be a No. 1 seed, but Wisconsin Volleyball is playing with a dangerous mix of momentum, talent, and belief. Fuerbringer said it best: "There are no underdogs in this thing. Everyone is giving their best volleyball."  

The Badgers conquered the Cardinal and tamed the Longhorns, and now they have the Wildcats in their sights.  

Watch the Wisconsin-Kentucky NCAA Semifinal on Thursday at approximately 9 p.m. ET on ESPN (30 minutes following Pittsburgh vs. Texas A&M). 

If Wisconsin wins on Thursday night, they will advance to the NCAA Championship to play the winner of No. 3 seed Texas A&M and No. 1 seed Pittsburgh on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC. 

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