Wisconsin dropped their first set of the season, but the record is still unblemished as the No. 1 Badgers (4-0 Big Ten, 4-0 overall) handled the Illinois Fighting Illini’s (2-2, 2-2) tough challenge with a 3-1 (27-25, 25-20, 21-25, 25-12) victory.
The first set’s ending was dramatic. After Illinois thought they won the first set 26-24 after a Devyn Robinson shot was called out. Head coach Kelly Sheffield challenged the call, and it was correctly overturned to tie the set at 25-25. Two solid serves from defensive specialist Giorgia Civita led to a kill from senior middle blocker Dana Rettke and an Illinois error to give Wisconsin the 27-25 first set win.