Wisconsin Takes Down No. 1 Texas in Statement Win, Punches Ticket to Final Four
The Wisconsin Badgers walked into Sunday’s match wearing black, and by the end of the night, it felt like they’d buried the No. 1 seed. In a gritty, high-stakes showdown, No. 3 Wisconsin flipped the script on top-ranked Texas, avenging an early-season sweep with a 3-1 win that sends them to the Final Four to face Kentucky.
This wasn’t just a win-it was a statement. The Badgers weren’t intimidated by the Longhorns’ pedigree or their previous loss. They came out with purpose, poise, and a whole lot of firepower.
First Set: A Momentum Swing Built on Grit
Early on, it looked like Texas might pick up where they left off from their previous meeting, jumping out to a 10-7 lead. But Wisconsin responded with a four-point burst that set the tone for the rest of the match. What followed was a tug-of-war, with neither side leading by more than two until the Badgers found another gear.
Up 18-17, Wisconsin ripped off a 6-0 run that flipped the set on its head. Texas handed over a few points with attack errors, but the Badgers capitalized-Mimi Colyer and Carter Booth delivered kills, and Kristen Simon dropped in a service ace. Texas tried to claw back with five straight points, but Colyer closed the door with a clutch kill to seal the set, 25-22.
Second Set: Colyer and Booth Take Control
Wisconsin kept the pressure on in the second. They opened with a 10-6 lead, and while Texas briefly cut it to a one-point game, the Badgers never let them get comfortable. A 3-0 response gave Wisconsin breathing room, and from there, they maintained at least a three-point cushion the rest of the way.
Colyer and Booth were relentless, finding seams in the Texas defense and piling up kills. The Badgers took the set 25-21 and built a 2-0 lead, putting the Longhorns on the ropes.
Third Set: Texas Punches Back
Texas wasn’t going down quietly. The third set saw the Longhorns come out with renewed energy, jumping ahead 8-6 after a 4-1 run. Wisconsin answered, with Colyer going on a personal tear-four straight kills to help the Badgers retake the lead at 12-11.
But Texas had an answer of their own. A five-point surge gave them a 16-12 lead, and this time, they held firm. Wisconsin trimmed the deficit to just one at 20-19, but the Longhorns closed strong with a 5-1 run to take the set 25-20 and keep the match alive.
Fourth Set: Shadd-Ceres Sparks the Comeback
Momentum seemed to be swinging Texas’ way after that third-set win, and the Longhorns opened the fourth with a 4-0 run. But that’s when Wisconsin flipped the switch.
The Badgers stormed back with a massive 13-4 run, turning a shaky start into an 13-8 lead. The spark? Reserve hitter Trinity Shadd-Ceres, who came off the bench and delivered two huge back-to-back kills that turned the tide.
From there, Wisconsin never looked back. Colyer added to her highlight reel with another kill, and a couple more Texas errors gave the Badgers an 18-11 lead.
Texas made one last push with a four-point run, but the gap was too wide. Wisconsin closed it out with a 6-3 finish to win the set 25-19 and the match 3-1.
Colyer Shines Again, Supporting Cast Steps Up
Mimi Colyer continues to play like one of the best in the country. After dropping 27 kills on Stanford in the previous round, she followed it up with 23 more against Texas. Her ability to deliver in the biggest moments is becoming a trend-and a nightmare for opposing defenses.
Una Vajagic stepped up in a big way, finishing with 15 kills while hitting an efficient .458. Carter Booth added 11 kills of her own, giving Wisconsin a three-headed monster at the net.
Setter Charlie Fuerbringer was once again the engine behind the offense, dishing out 57 assists after recording 61 in the previous match. Alicia Andrew anchored the defense with a team-high five blocks.
Even with 25 attack errors and 10 service errors, Wisconsin had the firepower and composure to overcome their miscues. When it mattered most, they were the tougher, more resilient team-and now, they’re headed to the Final Four.
Next Up: Kentucky
The Badgers now turn their attention to the top-seeded Kentucky Wildcats. If Sunday’s performance is any indication, Wisconsin is peaking at the right time-and they’ve got the talent, depth, and confidence to make a serious run at the title.