PHOTOS: Wisconsin volleyball captures its first national title (2024)

Ben Kenney

December 19, 2021 11:38 am CT

Wisconsin volleyball captured its first national title last night, defeating Nebraska 3-2 in a five-set thriller.

The match saw underdog Nebraska jump out to a one-set lead with a 25-22 victory in the first frame. Wisconsin then went on to battle its way to a 31-29 win in the second set, 25-23 victory in the third set and a 15-12 win in the deciding fifth set after Nebraska rallied to win the fourth.

National Player of the Year Dana Rettke led the way yet again, coming up with a big play seemingly every time Wisconsin needed it. And the ending was about as fitting as you could imagine with Rettke coming through for a final kill.

HISTORY FOR WISCONSIN 🏆 🤩 @BadgerVB wins its first-ever national championship!!! pic.twitter.com/cQ7i8ir8Ys

— espnW (@espnW) December 19, 2021

Here are the best photos from Wisconsin’s national title triumph last night:

Wisconsin react after defeating Nebraska in the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament…

Wisconsin react after defeating Nebraska in the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

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Wisconsin reserve players react after their team scores a point against Nebraska during the championship match…

Wisconsin reserve players react after their team scores a point against Nebraska during the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

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Wisconsin's Julia Orzol (22) digs the ball during the championship match of the NCAA women's college…

Wisconsin's Julia Orzol (22) digs the ball during the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament against Nebraska Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

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Wisconsin's Julia Orzol (22) spikes the ball towards Nebraska's Lindsay Krause (22) and Lauren Trivrins (26)…

Wisconsin's Julia Orzol (22) spikes the ball towards Nebraska's Lindsay Krause (22) and Lauren Trivrins (26) during the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

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Nebraska's Lauren Stivrins (26) spikes the ball towards Wisconsin's Anna Smrek (14) and Devon Robinson (10)…

Nebraska's Lauren Stivrins (26) spikes the ball towards Wisconsin's Anna Smrek (14) and Devon Robinson (10) during the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

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Wisconsin's Lauren Barnes, center, reacts after her team scores a point against Nebraska during the championship…

Wisconsin's Lauren Barnes, center, reacts after her team scores a point against Nebraska during the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

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Wisconsin's Julia Orzol (22) spikes the ball towards Nebraska's Lauren Stivrins (26) during the championship match…

Wisconsin's Julia Orzol (22) spikes the ball towards Nebraska's Lauren Stivrins (26) during the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

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Wisconsin's Anna Smrek, center, prepares to spike the ball during the championship match of the NCAA…

Wisconsin's Anna Smrek, center, prepares to spike the ball during the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament against Nebraska Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

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Wisconsin fans cheer during the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament against Nebraska…

Wisconsin fans cheer during the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament against Nebraska Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

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Wisconsin head coach Kelly Sheffield, center, speaks to his team during the championship match of the…

Wisconsin head coach Kelly Sheffield, center, speaks to his team during the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament against Nebraska Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

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Wisconsin players hold up the NCAA trophy after defeating Nebraska in the championship match of the…

Wisconsin players hold up the NCAA trophy after defeating Nebraska in the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

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Wisconsin's head coach Kelly Sheffield celebrates after defeating Nebraska in the championship match of the NCAA…

Wisconsin's head coach Kelly Sheffield celebrates after defeating Nebraska in the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

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Fans attend the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament between Wisconsin and Nebraska…

Fans attend the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament between Wisconsin and Nebraska Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

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Wisconsin players pose for a photo after defeating Nebraska in the championship match of the NCAA…

Wisconsin players pose for a photo after defeating Nebraska in the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

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PHOTOS: Wisconsin volleyball captures its first national title (2024)

FAQs

How to watch Wisconsin Nebraska volleyball? ›

What channel is Wisconsin vs. Nebraska on Friday?
  1. TV: Big Ten Network.
  2. Stream: You can stream the game on Fox Sports and Big Ten Network through your television or streaming carrier. FUBOTV also offers a free trial.
Nov 24, 2023

Who won the National College volleyball? ›

How many people were at the Wisconsin volleyball game? ›

Wisconsin Badgers volleyball match Wednesday, Sept. 13 was Fiserv Forum's first and set an attendance record. The in-state rivals were hoping to have the most fans at an indoor NCAA regular season volleyball match, breaking the record previously held by Wisconsin, and they did it with 17,037 fans.

How did Wisconsin lose to Nebraska? ›

The Badgers had several opportunities to close out the game, but let Nebraska back in during the second half and couldn't finish it off in overtime, where the Huskers' momentum carried over in their favor.

Has Nebraska volleyball ever been undefeated? ›

After starting the season outside the national top ten, Nebraska went 20–0 in Big 12 play and defeated Cook's former team, Wisconsin, in a five-set national title match to cap a 34–0 season and become the second undefeated team in NCAA volleyball history.

Who did Nebraska volleyball lose to this year? ›

- The Nebraska volleyball team's quest for a sixth national championship came up short Sunday afternoon, as strong serving powered Texas to a 3-0 sweep in the NCAA Final at Amalie Arena in Tampa.

How many times has Nebraska beat Wisconsin? ›

Nebraska–Wisconsin football rivalry
Statistics
Meetings total17
All-time seriesWisconsin leads, 13–4 (.765)
Trophy seriesWisconsin leads, 9–0
Largest victoryWisconsin, 70–31 (2012)
7 more rows

Did Nebraska or Pitt win? ›

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Dec. 14, 2023) – The Nebraska Cornhuskers are returning to the NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Championship match after sweeping Pitt 3-0 (25-20, 25-23, 25-17) Thursday night in front of a record-breaking crowd at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla.

When did Nebraska win volleyball championship? ›

DI Women's VolleyballChampionship History
YearChampion (Record)Coach
2018Stanford (34-1)Kevin Hambly
2017Nebraska (32-4)John Cook
2016Stanford (26-7)John Dunning
2015Nebraska (32-4)John Cook
39 more rows

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