The road to the Volleyball National Championship often runs through the Big Ten. The best teams in the nation are often from this conference, and once again, the slate of top teams is still very Big Ten-heavy. Wisconsin is one of those teams looking to make a run at the National Championship and even a Big Ten Championship. The schedule reveal shows Wisconsin fans the pathway to getting a high tournament seed.
The Wisconsin Badgers finished last season in a heartbreaking loss to Nebraska in the Elite 8 of the tournament. With a 26-7 overall and 17-3 Big Ten record, the Badgers were close to achieving their goals but are looking towards this year for a further push.
Kelly Sheffield has reloaded by adding an impressive transfer class and one of the best recruiting classes in the nation. Wisconsin volleyball is in good hands, and another championship feels like it's around the corner. But first, what's the pathway through the Big Ten? Here's the schedule:
Wisconsin volleyball will be playing Illinois, Minnesota, and Iowa all twice next season
There are three opponents that Wisconsin will play twice next season, and while those are games to circle, especially beating Minnesota, those aren't the primary ones to highlight. Look at the away match against Oregon on October 26th with Mimi Colyer to her former team (and an elite team at that). There's also taking on the champs at Penn State on October 10th or playing Nebraska at home on Halloween (the team that knocked the Badgers out). Even the Ohio State game on November 2nd is a game to keep high on your calendar list.
This schedule sets up well for Wisconsin, but many of the biggest and hardest matches are away, which isn't ideal. Beyond that, it's a schedule that will set up Wisconsin for another good year in the Big Ten.