No. 7 Wisconsin kept rolling Thursday night, handling No. 24 Illinois in straight sets, 25-18, 25-19, 25-22, to stretch its winning streak to seven and add a fifth consecutive victory over a ranked opponent.
The Badgers had already shown they were unfazed by elite competition after taking down No. 15 Indiana and No.
20 Minnesota last week, even as they slipped one spot in the Top 25. Against Illinois, they made the same point early and often.
Wisconsin jumped ahead with a 9-3 run in the opening set, and from there the Illini were stuck chasing.
That first set never tightened back up. Wisconsin moved in front 15-9 and kept the margin at five or better the rest of the way, closing it out 25-18.
Illinois opened the second set with the first three points, helped by a pair of attack errors from Audrey Flanagan, but Wisconsin answered immediately with four straight points off four Illinois miscues. The Badgers then settled in and built a 16-13 advantage midway through the frame.
The set stayed within reach for Illinois, but Wisconsin kept enough separation to get to 22-19. From there, the Badgers finished cleanly: kills from Audrey Flanagan and Decelise Champion, plus an attack error from Madi Miles, sealed a 25-19 set and a 2-0 lead.
The third set gave Illinois its best push. The teams were tied 7-7 before Wisconsin surged again, ripping off a 9-2 run that looked like it might put the match away early. Illinois refused to fold, though, and clawed back with a 4-0 run to square things at 20-20.
Even then, Wisconsin had the final answer. After the teams split the next four points, the Badgers closed on a 3-0 run, aided by a pair of attack errors and a kill from Kristen Simon, to complete the sweep.
Wisconsin is now 11-4 overall and 5-0 in conference play. Audrey Flanagan paced the offense with 12 kills, while Eva Travis and Jaela Auguste added nine apiece.
Auguste and Lynney Tarnow finished with four blocks each, and Charlie Fuerbringer distributed 31 assists. Illinois committed 20 attack errors in the loss.
The schedule stiffens again Saturday, when Wisconsin heads to No. 1 Nebraska. First serve is set for 6:00 p.m. on FOX.
In Other News...
Wisconsin May Not Know One Key Guard's Status Until The Season Starts
Braeden Carringtons status for the 2026-27 season is still up in the air, with Wisconsin waiting on a court hearing scheduled for Oct. 20 before it gets a clearer answer. The guard was one of the Badgers key three-point shooters last season, so his situation carries real weight for a roster that values spacing, depth and reliable perimeter production.
Greg Gard said the program is prepared for whichever way it goes, a reflection of how roster building now often requires schools to live with uncertainty deep into the fall. For Wisconsin, the concern is less about the noise and more about timing, because Carringtons availability could shape the backcourt picture right as the season is beginning to take form. [Read more 🡒]
Wisconsins Surging WR Room Still Has One Big Thing To Prove
Wisconsins wide receiver room has quietly become one of the more interesting parts of the offense, not because one player has taken over, but because several have found ways to matter. Tyrell Henry has been the most productive of the group, leading the Badgers in receptions and receiving yards while also setting a single-game receptions record, but hes hardly been alone. Chris Brooks Jr., Malachi Coleman and Eugene Hilton Jr. have all chipped in, giving the passing game a more balanced feel than it had earlier in the year.
For the Badgers, that kind of depth is useful, but it also leaves one lingering question hanging over the room. The production has come by committee, and that can work as long as the group keeps growing together, yet Wisconsin still does not have a clearly established top target defenses must account for every week. Until one receiver separates himself from the pack, this remains a promising development more than a finished product. [Read more 🡒]
Wisconsin May Have Found A Breakout Weapon In Its TE Room
Wisconsins tight end room has quietly become one of the more useful parts of the offense early this season, and Jacob Harris is a big reason why. After transferring in from Bowling Green, Harris has settled in as both a steady receiving target and a dependable blocker, giving the Badgers a versatile piece who can stay on the field in a variety of situations. His production has been backed up by strong run-blocking work, which has helped the group carve out a more noticeable role than many expected.
Grant Stec and Emmett Bork have also contributed to that surge, giving Wisconsin real depth at a spot that has looked increasingly important to the way the offense wants to function. For a team always looking for reliable edges in the run game and a trustworthy option in the middle of the field, the early returns from the tight end room are encouraging. The bigger question now is whether Harris and company can keep turning that early promise into something defenses have to plan around every week. [Read more 🡒]