Errors prove costly in No. 3 Wisconsin's season-opening loss (2024)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The University of Wisconsin volleyball team got off to a smashing start. And then it got smashed.

After roaring out of the gates with an overpowering first set in the AVCA First Serve Showcase, the Badgers stumbled and never fully recovered as they fell late Tuesday night to host Louisville 25-18, 17-25, 24-26, 20-25 at the KFC Yum! Center.

Sarah Franklin had 17 kills to lead the Badgers, who hit just .179 for the match. Anna Smrek added 12 kills and Devyn Robinson had eight kills and 10 blocks.

Louisville was led by Charitie Luper and Sofi Maldonado Diaz with 11 kills apiece. The Cardinals hit just .166 for the match.

It was the first loss in a season opener since the Badgers lost in four sets to Western Kentucky on Aug. 28, 2015. The Badgers finished that season 26-7 and loss to Florida in the Sweet 16.

This year's edition has No. 1 Texas awaiting at 11:30 a.m. Sunday at Fiserv Forum. Here's what we learned from Tuesday's loss.

Wisconsin's serving issues prove costly

One of the Badgers’ primary areas of emphasis in the spring and in practice this summer has been to toughen up their serving. The goal is to get opponents on their heels, like Texas did last last season in its run to the national title. And if that leads to some early season hiccups, coach Kelly Sheffield has been willing to live with that.

That approach came at a cost as the Badgers committed 17 service errors with just one service ace. Louisville had nine service errors with two aces.

The worst of it came in the second set with the Badgers had eight service errors to help fuel the Cardinals reversal of the match.

How Wisconsin uses new two libero rule

Damrow played in serve receive situations while Guctekin played when the Badgers were serving. She also took her turn in the serve rotation.

Also in the back row, Julia Orzol stepped in as a defensive specialist for freshman Trinity Shadd-Ceres, who played the front row at outside hitter. Orzol missed the exhibition match against Bradley last week with a sprained ankle and playing just in the back row doesn’t require the jumping that the front row does.

No. 2 Nebraska beats No. 9 Kentucky to open season

Merritt Beason and Rebekah Allick each recorded 11 kills to help lead No. 2 Nebraska to a four-set victory over No. 9 Kentucky in the first match of the night to get the new season underway.

The Cornhuskers hit .258 with 47 kills and 16 errors, while the Wildcats hit just .139 with 51 kills and 30 errors. Kentucky also committed 16 service errors. Allick also had 12 blocks as the Cornhuskers doubled up the Wildcats 18-9 in blocks.

Minnesota transfer Taylor Landfair played sparingly for Nebraska, as Lindsay Krause and Harper Murray played outside hitter most of the match.

Brooklyn DeLeye had 19 kills to lead Kentucky.