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After breaking the record last year for the largest NCAA regular-season indoor volleyball match, with a massive crowd of 17,037 fans, Fiserv Forum doubled down in 2024 with two days of competitive women’s volleyball over the weekend. With four matches in two days, Wisconsin, Texas, Minnesota and Stanford faced off as part of the State Farm Women’s College Volleyball Showcase.
While local fans were of course excited to see the Badgers kick off their season with high expectations, volleyball fans across the country were eager to tune into the rematch of last year’s NCAA semifinal. As Wisconsin fans will remember all too well, Texas went on to defeat the Badgers and later Nebraska for the 2023 national title. Following the anticipated rematch, Stanford was set to take on Minnesota on Sunday, while they would later face the Badgers on Monday, leaving the Longhorns to take on the Golden Golphers for the final match of the weekend.
Let's take a closer look at some of the best moments from last weekend’s matchups.
1. “Frank The Tank”
Sarah Franklin seemed to be the only positive consistency for the Badgers this weekend. Although Wisconsin lost both of their matches, Franklin still found a way to dominate. The reigning AVCA National Player of the Year continued to pick up points for the Badgers with her impressive kills, and is certainly a favorite to reclaim her title this season.
2. Madisen, Wisconsin
While UW-“Madison” struggled in Milwaukee this weekend, “Madisen” Skinner certainly did not. Skinner’s athleticism was a standout from the weekend in Milwaukee, giving Wisconsin fans PTSD from when she dominated the Badgers in last season’s semifinals.
3. Jumping for Joy
Badger fans certainly were hoping for a different result, but Sunday afternoon’s matchup was exciting nonetheless. At least for the first two sets, the energy was high at the Fiserv Forum, when the Badgers played their best.
4. A Fresh Setter
Ranked the top setter in the country by PrepVolleyball, freshman Charlie Fuerbringer is just a few games into what should be a great college career with the Wisconsin Badgers. UW’s new setter is still getting used to playing with her new teammates but showed flashes of excellence throughout the weekend.
5. Stand Tall
Stanford was the lone team to come out of the weekend undefeated at the Fiserv Forum. While others would have expected Texas or Wisconsin to earn such a standing, Stanford handled the Badgers and narrowly defeated Minnesota to come out 2-0.
6. Boooooooth
Wisconsin’s junior middle blocker is certainly a reason that the Badgers are expected to be one of the best teams in the country this season. Despite the losing effort, Carter Booth had her share of kills throughout the weekend.
7. ‘Muhahahahaha”
Madisen Skinner and Jenna Wenaas were the two best players for the Longhorns for both games and here they are laughing maniacally at their plot to take over college volleyball this season.
8. Ace!
Any Badger fan knows to look for Wisconsin libero Gulce Guctekin whenever she or another Badger gets an ace, for her signature celebration, jumping in the arms of a teammate.
9. Hook Em’
Keonilei Akana prepares for her serve during a set-point as her teammates watch on.
10. Bucky cures all
Nothing will turn a frown into a smile faster than seeing Bucky do literally anything, a perfect cure for a Wisconsin loss (or two).
11. Character building
After going on a hot streak last season to make it to the national semi finals, the Badgers have now lost four straight and have started the season 0-3, albeit against three of the top teams in the country. Expect Wisconsin to bounce back strong before they begin conference play in the coming months and make the most out of their slow start.
12. 2025?
With the success of Wisconsin and Marquette’s 2023 matchup and now the State Farm Showcase, it seems as though college volleyball will be welcome to return to Fiserv Forum in 2025. Perhaps Milwaukee could host a Division I Women's Volleyball Championship in the coming years? We'll have to wait and see.
