Madison, WI – The University of Wisconsin women’s volleyball team celebrated a milestone on Wednesday night, defeating the No. 17 Florida Gators 3‑2 in a thrilling five‑set match (25‑21, 20‑25, 25‑19, 24‑26, 15‑13). The victory marked the Badgers’ first home win of the 2026 season and the first time the program has ever beaten Florida in the UW Field House.
Key performances fuel the win
Outside hitter Audrey Flanagan led the charge with a career‑high 18 kills, adding nine digs and three blocks. Right side hitter Grace Egan contributed a season‑high 17 kills, while middle blocker Lynney Tarnow posted 16 kills on a .429 hitting percentage and recorded five blocks. Setter Charlie Fuerbringer earned a double‑double with 55 assists and 15 digs, and libero Anna Bardaro topped the backcourt with a team‑high 19 digs.
The opening set saw Wisconsin surge ahead with a 4‑0 run, highlighted by two kills from Flanagan. Freshman Kymora Scott and sophomore Eva Travis added crucial points before Tarnow sealed the set with a decisive kill, giving the Badgers a 25‑21 advantage.
Florida fights back
Florida responded in the second set, limiting Wisconsin to a .189 hitting percentage and taking the set 25‑20. The Gators’ early ace from Fuerbringer could not offset the opponent’s strong offense.
Wisconsin rebounded in the third set, with Egan sparking a 3‑0 run and later a 4‑1 stretch that helped the Badgers pull ahead. The Badgers finished the set with 15 kills, including two from Flanagan, to claim a 25‑19 win and take a 2‑1 series lead.
Back‑and‑forth battle to the finish
The fourth set was a seesaw affair. Florida opened with a 5‑0 run, but Wisconsin answered with a late 5‑0 surge of its own. A mis‑served ball gave the Gators the edge, and they closed the set 26‑24.
In the decisive fifth set, Wisconsin exploded with a 6‑1 burst, driven by back‑to‑back kills from Scott. Florida rallied to tie the set at 13‑13, but a clutch kill by Flanagan secured a 15‑13 finish and the overall victory.
Coach and players reflect
Head Coach Kelly Sheffield praised her squad’s resilience: “I thought we battled, we fought, we scratched and we challenged a lot of you players at different times in the match.” Freshman middle blocker Lynney Tarnow said the home crowd’s energy was “such a cool feeling,” while fellow freshman Kymora Scott described the win as “exciting” and a chance to support her teammates.
With the win, Wisconsin not only broke a 0‑3 record against Florida in the Field House but also demonstrated the depth of its roster, with three players reaching double‑figure kills. The Badgers look to build on the momentum as they host Auburn Thursday, September 3, to conclude the Big Ten/SEC Challenge week.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
