Wisconsin has to get healthy and find consistency to reach its goals this season; that much became clear after the match against No. 9 Texas. The Longhorns haven't looked great this season until today; the team is finally figuring it out and putting all the pieces together. Something that Wisconsin is still looking for. Texas was able to rally after losing the first set to win the next three sets of the match.
Yet, it was late in that fourth set, when Wisconsin head coach Kelly Sheffield's back was up against the wall, that he did something he should have done way earlier in the match. He had Jaela Auguste and Decelise Champion on the floor to start the fourth set. It was too little, too late and ultimately didn't push the fourth set towards the Badgers, but as you will see, she could have helped way earlier.
Sheffield was clearly trying to let Auguste rest one more match, but when push came to shove, Wisconsin desperately needed her presence in the middle. Champion also has been pushed quicker into the lineup than maybe she is ready for, but the problems for Wisconsin are such that both are needed.
Jaela Auguste appears in a match for the first time since Aug. 22.
— Karl Winter (@KarlWinterTV) September 13, 2026
Decelise Champion starts a set for the first time in a #Badgers uniform.
Kelly Sheffield pulling out all the stops in Austin as they trail 2 sets to 1.
Jaela Auguste was close to being ready for Texas but needed more time
Related: Kelly Sheffield's reason for constantly changing Wisconsin's lineup is secretly genius
The TV broadcast said that Auguste was close to returning before the match, but Sheffield felt better about keeping her out. However, she was dressed and ready to go. That turned out to be a good thing, as Sheffield ended up calling on her to jump in. Yet, it was too little, too late. The Texas train was barreling down the track, and even Auguste couldn't stop it.
She would have changed that match in a dramatic way had she been able to play for the entirety. The Badgers couldn't get much going from the middles. There were too many passes that couldn't be put down, and the blocking presence was missing for most of the afternoon.
It was obvious that she would have helped with her limited stats. She hit .429 with four kills on seven total attacks.
Add in Champion to this, and you have something cooking for the Badgers. Champion was probably the best blocking presence for Wisconsin all day. The downside today for Wisconsin was that neither she nor any of the freshmen could really get going on the attack. Flanagan hit .000; Champion and Thompson each hit .111.
Texas looked like the team everyone thought they would be this season; it just took them until Wisconsin to figure it out. There was a fierceness to the attack and block, and even the top-spin serves were mostly dropping for the Longhorns.
It wasn't Wisconsin's day, but if Auguste is truly able to be back and Champion has another week of practice. The Badgers may finally be finding the rotation and roster that can put other teams away. Grace Egan is still a major question mark, but every other player seems to be ready to go now.
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