The Wisconsin Badgers took on both Los Angeles schools over the weekend and walked away with a split. Sweeping the UCLA Bruins but losing 3-1 to the Trojans. The second game was tough, and the Badgers were pretty flat after losing the second set in a back-and-forth affair. The third set was a battle over the mental side of things, and then it took a regrouping in the fourth set to even make it close, but it started overwhelming in favor of the Trojans.
There was a bit of good news for the Badgers as Grace Egan made her return for Wisconsin. Egan was injured during the Florida match and has missed all of Big Ten play. She didn't return to the starting lineup but did jump back in during the match. Wisconsin fans were thrilled to see her back on the court.
Grace Egan enters match to big welcome, scores on first swing for @BadgerVB
— Dennis Punzel (@DennisPunzel) October 19, 2025
Grace Egan comes back from injury after missing the last 7 games
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Egan played a good chunk of the time, but head coach Kelly Sheffield clearly was easing her back into play. She's missed almost a month of play and will need to adjust back to the full throttle play. Sheffield was impressed with her defensive play but thought her first game back offensively was lacking.
"It's just time, it's her and Addie spending more time together. Which is kind of where everyone is." Sheffield said in his post-game press conference. The struggle for Wisconsin right now is missing their star setter, Charlie Fuerbringer, and the offensive ability she has to set up her teammates and even get a few kills/blocks herself.
Backup setter Addy Horner is a true freshman, but has provided a spark, and Sheffield is pumped about her play. However, it takes time for her teammates to get used to her style and her way of setting up the offense.
The good news is that Grace Egan is back; the bad news is that the Badgers couldn't pull off a win against USC. Wisconsin now heads to Seattle, Washington, to take on the Huskies on Friday.