Wisconsin Clinches Share of 2021 Big Ten Volleyball Title
Badgers become first team to capture three consecutive conference crowns since 2010
ROSEMONT, Ill. — The University of Wisconsin volleyball team secured a share of the 2021 Big Ten Conference title Friday with its 3-1 win over Nebraska. The Badgers earn their third consecutive Big Ten championship and their eighth overall, with Wisconsin having an opportunity to claim the outright title Saturday night when it plays host to Indiana (8 p.m. ET on B1G+).
With Friday’s victory, Wisconsin (24-3, 16-3 Big Ten) becomes the third program in conference history to earn three consecutive Big Ten titles and the first since Penn State won eight in a row from 2003-10. Illinois was the first to claim three consecutive Big Ten volleyball championships (1986-88), while PSU also had a string of four in a row from 1996-99.
Wisconsin graduate student middle blocker Dana Rettke had a match-high 18 kills, seven blocks and hit .484 in Friday’s win over Nebraska. Senior outside hitter Grace Loberg added 14 kills and sophomore middle blocker/right side Devyn Robinson had 10 kills and seven blocks for the Badgers. The Huskers (20-7, 15-4) were led by junior outside hitter Madi Kubik, who had 15 kills.
Saturday will be the final day of the regular season for Big Ten volleyball, and three teams remain in contention for a share of the title. Wisconsin would earn the outright crown with a win over Indiana, while a Badger loss would open the door for the winner of the Nebraska at Purdue match (9 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network/FOX Sports app) to clinch a share of the championship.
The 64-team field for the 2021 NCAA Tournament will be announced at 8:30 p.m. (ET) Sunday live on ESPNU. The Big Ten has seen at least one team advance to the NCAA Final Four each year since 2007, with Nebraska the most recent Big Ten team to win the national championship in 2017.
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