Kelly Sheffield didn’t wait long to turn to Jaela Auguste and Decelise Champion, but by the time he did, Wisconsin was already trying to climb out of a hole against No. 9 Texas.
That was the story of the afternoon in Austin: the Badgers needed more health, more consistency and more answers than they could find for much of the match. Texas, meanwhile, shook off a slow start and took control after dropping the opening set, winning the next three to leave Wisconsin searching for what it still hasn’t fully put together.
Sheffield’s late move came in the fourth set, with his back against the wall, when Auguste and Champion were on the floor to start the frame. It was the kind of adjustment that might have mattered more earlier, but by then Texas had already started rolling.
Auguste had been close to returning before the match, according to the TV broadcast, and Sheffield opted to keep her out a little longer. She was dressed and ready, though, which gave him the option to call on her when things got desperate.
She did what she could in limited action. Auguste hit .429 with four kills on seven attacks, and her presence in the middle was exactly what Wisconsin had been missing for most of the match.
The Badgers struggled to get production from that spot, and the blocking impact that could have steadied things was absent for long stretches. Too many passes never turned into kills, and Texas kept building momentum.
Champion also got a notable opportunity, starting a set for the first time in a Wisconsin uniform. She had been pushed into the lineup faster than maybe she’s ready for, but the Badgers needed bodies and they needed help.
On this day, she may have been Wisconsin’s best blocking presence. Even so, the attack side never really came together for her or the other freshmen.
Flanagan hit .000, while Champion and Thompson each finished at .111.
Texas looked much closer to the team people expected entering the season. The Longhorns played with more force at the net, attacked with more edge and got plenty out of their topspin serves as they took over the match.
For Wisconsin, the silver lining is tied to what comes next. If Auguste is truly ready to go and Champion gets another week of practice, the Badgers may finally be moving toward a rotation that can handle tougher nights better than this one. Grace Egan remains a major question mark, but the rest of the roster appears to be available now.
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