In a thrilling encounter during the inaugural Big Ten-SEC Challenge Week, Wisconsin volleyball staged an impressive comeback to defeat the No. 17 Florida Gators 3-2 on Wednesday night. The closely contested match, held at a packed UW Field House, marked Wisconsin’s first home victory over Florida in the program’s history and secured their opening home win of the 2026 season.
Wisconsin Holds on Against Florida in Latest NCAA Volleyball Matchup
The final set was a rollercoaster of tension, with Florida holding match point at 14-13. However, four critical service errors in the decisive frame shifted momentum dramatically. Audrey Flanagan leveled the score with a powerful kill, and an attack error by Florida sealed the victory for Wisconsin.
Three Wisconsin players stood out with double-digit kills, overpowering Florida’s typically strong blocking defense. Flanagan led the charge, delivering a career-high 18 kills along with nine digs. Close behind, Grace Egan contributed 17 kills and added two aces, while middle blocker Lynney Tarnow posted a career-best 16 kills on an efficient .429 hitting percentage, complemented by five blocks.
Orchestrating the Badgers’ offense, setter Charlie Fuerbringer tallied 55 assists and 15 digs, achieving her 19th career double-double. Despite the loss, Florida’s Kamryn Chaney remained a formidable force, recording a match-high 22 kills and keeping her team competitive throughout the night.