Something incredible is happening with Badger volleyball, and the Florida win proved it

The Wisconsin Badgers have their second win of the season, beating No. 17 Florida in an absolute barn burner inside the UW Field House. The Badgers had to survive five sets to take down the Gators, and they had to do it in an incredible fashion. Something wild is happening for Wisconsin volleyball this season, something unprecedented for Badger volleyball, and fans are starting to notice, but the Florida win made it obvious: The Badger freshmen are leading the way.

Wisconsin fans knew that freshmen would be a big part of the story. It's the biggest incoming class in forever, with a record of top-ranked recruits. But Wisconsin head coach Kelly Sheffield intentionally built a roster where the freshmen could be role players, could grow in the system, and find their spots to shine. He did not build the roster for the freshmen to be thrust into the spotlight and be asked to carry the offense of the Badgers.

Yet, that's exactly what's happening, and against Florida it was overwhelmingly obvious. Jaela Auguste is still injured and couldn't play; Grace Lopez is still on a pitch count and played with a libero jersey as a back-row and serving player. And Eva Travis is sliding into more of a background player. So, these three veterans were all on the sidelines against Florida.

True freshmen are leading the way for Wisconsin volleyball

Related: Kelly Sheffield shouldn't shield Decelise Champion from the pressure, let her loose

The freshmen are taking over and are expected to carry this team. Audrey Flanagan has been a sensation so far this year. She led the way with 18 kills for the Badgers. Lynney Tarnow was in Auguste's spot, and she had the third-most kills (behind Grace Egan) with 16 kills on .429 hitting. She also had three digs and five assisted blocks.

The next highest kill leader was Kymora Scott, who wasn't really expected to have much of a role this year and was more of a developmental project. But she came into this game against Florida and gave the Badger offense a spark. Wait, she actually started alongside Tarnow; the spark was from the get-go. So, three of the top point getters are true freshmen, straight out of high school.

The starting lineup had all three of those players featured: Scott, Flanagan, and Tarnow. Add in the true freshmen Anna Bardaro and Isabelle Hoppe, who played in all five sets.

This group of freshmen has all passed up returning hitters and blockers like Madison Quest and Natalie Wardlow on the depth chart. Though Wardlow is also dealing with something.

This group has a chance to be really special, and it's going to take some patience from Badger fans, but this freshman class could be something really, really unique. Banner-hanging type group, not to mention that international star Decelise Champion is finally here and will make her debut in the next week or so.

Kelly Sheffield realizes it's happening too; he had Tarnow and Scott join him for the post-game presser. And while he likes to rotate who gets that opportunity, it signals something even so.

While the Badgers are 2-2, the optimism for how this group grows together this year and for the next few years should have Wisconsin fans giddy.

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