The Wisconsin volleyball program has had some good news lately with the addition of international star Decelise Champion to next year's roster. There was also a schedule release from the Big Ten for the entire conference. Wisconsin, being one of the premier programs in the Big Ten, gets circled by a lot of other opponents. But also circled a lot by the Big Ten's top volleyball analyst, Emily Ehman.
When the Big Ten schedule was released, Ehman highlighted all the "can't miss" matches, and the Wisconsin Badgers were one of the main teams mentioned again and again. In fact, Ehman lists four of the top Big Ten matches featuring the Badgers. Remember, in the Big Ten, each team only plays each other one time.
Here's the video but let's look at each match she says are "can't miss."
With the schedule now OUT, which B1G 🏐 matchups are you looking forward to most this upcoming season❓ @emilyehman highlights some you can't miss: pic.twitter.com/mxPS7qngES
— Big Ten Volleyball (@B1GVolleyball) June 5, 2026
September 27: Wisconsin at Purdue
The opening week for the Badgers is against Oregon on a Thursday and then Purdue on Saturday, the 27th. This game is a circled game for Ehman because it features Wisconsin on the road against a Boilermaker team that is looking to be towards the top of the Big Ten this next season. The Badgers and Boilermakers saw each other last season in the Field House, and Wisconsin won that match 3-0.
October 4: Wisconsin at Minnesota
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Wisconsin vs. Minnesota in any sport is always fun, for Ehman, this "Border Battle" should feature some high-level volleyball with a bit of a rivalry. The Badgers took on Minnesota twice last season, once on the road and once at home. Winning each match. The one on the road against a No. 18 Golden Gophers team was 3-0. The one in the Field House was 3-1.
October 10: Wisconsin at Nebraska
Another road game, and this one Ehman calls one of the "most anticipated matches of the season." She says these are the top two Big Ten teams and that nine of the last ten seasons one of these two programs held at least a share, if not an outright, Big Ten title. This is a game that Wisconsin fans have also circled as it's the highest level of all volleyball. The Cornhuskers were the No. 1 program for most of last season and swept the Badgers in their lone match last season.
November 8: Penn State at Wisconsin
Finally, Ehman mentions the Nittany Lions vs. the Badgers in November. Wisconsin and Penn State have a back-and-forth win streak. In 2025, Penn State swept the Badgers, but in 2024, it was Wisconsin who swept Penn State on national television (NBC). Wisconsin lost in 2023, and we can keep it going. But let's just say these two programs love playing each other, and it seems that they alternate who wins based on the years. If you are keeping track, it's Wisconsin's year to win.
The Badgers will have a very young roster this season and most of their talent will be in ongoing development as this season progresses. There will be bumps in the road during the season but Wisconsin has a really high-ceiling.
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