PHOTOS: Wisconsin volleyball captures its first national title (2024)

Ben Kenney

December 19, 2021 11:38 am CT

Wisconsin volleyball captured its first national title last night, defeating Nebraska 3-2 in a five-set thriller.

The match saw underdog Nebraska jump out to a one-set lead with a 25-22 victory in the first frame. Wisconsin then went on to battle its way to a 31-29 win in the second set, 25-23 victory in the third set and a 15-12 win in the deciding fifth set after Nebraska rallied to win the fourth.

National Player of the Year Dana Rettke led the way yet again, coming up with a big play seemingly every time Wisconsin needed it. And the ending was about as fitting as you could imagine with Rettke coming through for a final kill.

HISTORY FOR WISCONSIN 🏆 🤩 @BadgerVB wins its first-ever national championship!!! pic.twitter.com/cQ7i8ir8Ys

— espnW (@espnW) December 19, 2021

Here are the best photos from Wisconsin’s national title triumph last night:

Wisconsin react after defeating Nebraska in the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament…

Wisconsin react after defeating Nebraska in the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

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Wisconsin reserve players react after their team scores a point against Nebraska during the championship match…

Wisconsin reserve players react after their team scores a point against Nebraska during the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

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Wisconsin's Julia Orzol (22) digs the ball during the championship match of the NCAA women's college…

Wisconsin's Julia Orzol (22) digs the ball during the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament against Nebraska Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

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Wisconsin's Julia Orzol (22) spikes the ball towards Nebraska's Lindsay Krause (22) and Lauren Trivrins (26)…

Wisconsin's Julia Orzol (22) spikes the ball towards Nebraska's Lindsay Krause (22) and Lauren Trivrins (26) during the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

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Nebraska's Lauren Stivrins (26) spikes the ball towards Wisconsin's Anna Smrek (14) and Devon Robinson (10)…

Nebraska's Lauren Stivrins (26) spikes the ball towards Wisconsin's Anna Smrek (14) and Devon Robinson (10) during the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

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Wisconsin's Lauren Barnes, center, reacts after her team scores a point against Nebraska during the championship…

Wisconsin's Lauren Barnes, center, reacts after her team scores a point against Nebraska during the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

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Wisconsin's Julia Orzol (22) spikes the ball towards Nebraska's Lauren Stivrins (26) during the championship match…

Wisconsin's Julia Orzol (22) spikes the ball towards Nebraska's Lauren Stivrins (26) during the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

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Wisconsin's Anna Smrek, center, prepares to spike the ball during the championship match of the NCAA…

Wisconsin's Anna Smrek, center, prepares to spike the ball during the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament against Nebraska Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

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Wisconsin fans cheer during the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament against Nebraska…

Wisconsin fans cheer during the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament against Nebraska Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

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Wisconsin head coach Kelly Sheffield, center, speaks to his team during the championship match of the…

Wisconsin head coach Kelly Sheffield, center, speaks to his team during the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament against Nebraska Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

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Wisconsin players hold up the NCAA trophy after defeating Nebraska in the championship match of the…

Wisconsin players hold up the NCAA trophy after defeating Nebraska in the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

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Wisconsin's head coach Kelly Sheffield celebrates after defeating Nebraska in the championship match of the NCAA…

Wisconsin's head coach Kelly Sheffield celebrates after defeating Nebraska in the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

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Fans attend the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament between Wisconsin and Nebraska…

Fans attend the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament between Wisconsin and Nebraska Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

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Wisconsin players pose for a photo after defeating Nebraska in the championship match of the NCAA…

Wisconsin players pose for a photo after defeating Nebraska in the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

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PHOTOS: Wisconsin volleyball captures its first national title (2024)

FAQs

How did the Wisconsin volleyball team photo get leaked? ›

On Wednesday, the athletic department said the images came from the phone of a team member and were never intended to be seen publicly, the Wisconsin State Journal reported.

When was the first women's NCAA volleyball championship is held? ›

The first NCAA championship tournament was held in 1981, with 20 schools competing for the title.

Who won the National College volleyball? ›

Did the Wisconsin volleyball girls get in trouble? ›

The girls are not under investigation. "UWPD is investigating multiple crimes, including sharing sensitive photos without consent," the statement read. "UWPD is not investigating the volleyball student-athletes for wrongdoing in this matter."

Who is Anna Smrek? ›

At 6-foot-9, Anna Smrek is one of the most commanding volleyball players in Big Ten and Wisconsin Badger history.

Who has the most national championships in women's volleyball? ›

Stanford is the most successful program in DI women's college volleyball history with nine national championships.

What does the YMCA stand for in volleyball? ›

Volleyball was invented in 1895 by William G. Morgan, physical director of the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) in Holyoke, Massachusetts. It was designed as an indoor sport for businessmen who found the new game of basketball too vigorous.

Who has the most national championships in women's college basketball? ›

With 11 national titles, the UConn Huskies hold the record for the most NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Championships, which included four straight championships from 2013 through 2016.

Who is #1 in girls college volleyball? ›

Women's Volleyball
RankTeamPer Set
RankTeamPer Set
1Wisconsin3.07
2Pittsburgh2.97
3Texas2.89
7 more rows

Which school has won the most NCAA men's volleyball championships? ›

2024 NCAA NC men's volleyball championship history

The NC men's volleyball national championship dates back to 1970, skipping 2020 due to COVID-19, with the first-ever championship trophy going to UCLA. The Bruins hold 21 national titles, which makes them the winningest team in sport history.

Did Asjia O'Neal get a yellow card? ›

So in the break, we Learned that Asia O'neil got a yellow card. Basically taunting through the net.

How do you take pictures of volleyball teams? ›

You may need to shoot in portrait orientation, and manually choose an auto-focus point at the bottom of the frame. This will allow you to catch focus on the legs of each player, rather than fighting to shoot through the net. The types of images here will generally include: Blocks.

What is the attendance record for the Wisconsin girls volleyball game? ›

Setter breaks Wisconsin volleyball's career service ace record. The Badgers and Marquette drew 17,037 fans to the match at Fiserv Forum on Wednesday night to set the indoor regular-season record. Wisconsin won in four sets. Wisconsin's NCAA Tournament Final match in 2021 drew 18,755 fans, which was the most at the time ...

Who did Wisconsin women's volleyball lose? ›

Texas surged in the final two sets to roll Wisconsin, 3-1 (25-22, 20-25, 25-13, 25-16). The Longhorns aced 11 times, which is a season-best for the squad. Madisen Skinner had a career game at the service line, doubling her previous career-best of three, and Asjia O'Neal and Emma Halter both added two.

How many people were at the Wisconsin volleyball game? ›

Official attendance was 17,037 making it the largest indoor regular-season crowd for a volleyball match in NCAA history and the largest crowd to see a women's sporting event in Wisconsin history.

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