Badgers fans on Twitter ecstatic after Wisconsin volleyball edges Louisville Cardinals in epic Final Four
Reporter Dennis Punzel and columnist Jim Polzin asked Badgers fans on Twitter what they thought of the University of Wisconsin volleyball team's performance in its five-set victory over top-seeded Louisville in an NCAA national semifinal Thursday night at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
Here's what fans were saying after the fourth-seeded Badgers advanced to the championship match on Saturday:
Finishing strong
Smrek was amazing and they weathered that 2nd set and passing got better. What a battle. Orzol had good serves in the 2nd half, key kills and played better with her back against the wall. Barnes is a superhero and the block? Better at the end too. #Badgers
— Kevin Murphy (@kjmurphy88) December 17, 2021
One to remember
There is hardly any senior class whose Badger careers I’m happy to see maximized than this one.
— Laura in the 608, Anna Smrek stan (@hemming_hawing) December 17, 2021
Making a statement
Seeing Dana’s raw joy for Anna & Devyn reminds me of these seniors’ freshman year, when Grace had a breakout performance at the tourney and Gilly & Bates were so, so happy for her. We saw the present & the future of the program tonight.
— My name is not Angela (@BlingSing) December 17, 2021
Can't keep 'em down
Amazing rallies. #Badgers experience prevailed. As Al McGuire would say “I don’t like going into the NCAA tournament unbeaten.” Louisville tightened up in set 5. Great match! Barnes is amazing
— Bob Lewis (@AppletonTech) December 17, 2021
Enough said
Anna. Smrek. @anna_smrekk
— The MadHouse (@TheMadHouseUW) December 17, 2021
Starts at the top
Kelly Sheffield is a quiet genius. The game plan here was impeccable and his game management was outstanding. He deserves more credit than he gets.
— Clay Greene (@greenesail) December 17, 2021
Showing how it's done
Wonderful. Amazing game for the sport on the national stage. What a showing by the freshman!
— Dwight Snoot (@Mountainbadger) December 17, 2021
No backing down
EPIC!! Showed their resilience yet again! Never give up!!
— Denise Stanley (@CrakMeUp) December 17, 2021
Think happy thoughts
Service errors a bit scary but what a great night for Anna Smrek. On to the Final!
— Modris Jaunzems (@ModrisJZ) December 17, 2021
Stunning similarities
32-1! Just like 38-1!
— Chris Davis (@cdavis20000) December 17, 2021
Been there, done that
Wisconsin: knocking off undefeated teams from the Bluegrass State in the national semifinals since 2015
— Craig Smith (@smithcp1) December 17, 2021
Passion pays off
Aggression is rewarded.
— Tom Kahl (@Tomaskahl) December 17, 2021
Experience offers an edge
Experienced #Badgers prevail. #Louisville looked tight in 5th set. Great match
— Bob Lewis (@AppletonTech) December 17, 2021
Overcoming the odds
Beating #1 even with all those service errors…that is incredible.
— Kent (@madisonseattle) December 17, 2021
Exceeding the hype
Every bit the showdown I thought it would be and more.
— Tom Kahl (@Tomaskahl) December 17, 2021
Built for battle
I watched a few of the matches this year, so I knew they were a top team in the country. Watching this match tonight was just amazing. Wisconsin is just set for a destiny and Saturday night will be fun!!
— Neal Gosz (@neal_gosz) December 17, 2021
On the edge of our seats
I was super paranoid the service errors would end us. Can’t wait
— Manny Garski (@GarskiHouse) December 17, 2021
Ready to party
Were gonna win it all and Madison is gonna be wild! #OnWisconsin
— Daren Helmenstine (@helmenstine34) December 17, 2021
Enjoy the show!
What a match between two awesome teams. Already got tickets for Sat. Road trip
— BadgerFan (@divot516) December 17, 2021
More than a nail-biter
I lost years off of my life and ground my teeth to nubs. What an amazing performance by Anna Smrek. So much fight with this group.
— Cory Stinebrink (@CoryStinebrink) December 17, 2021
Brimming with bravado
Never a doubt!!
— Brian Suttie (@BigDaddySutt) December 17, 2021
Don't forget to breathe
Gave me a stroke #OnWisconsin
— Chelsea (@chelsea__mack) December 17, 2021
This checks out
Lauren. Barnes. That’s all
— WSAlum (@kth5379) December 17, 2021
A reason to believe
As you you reported earlier this team reminds us of a Badger basketball team. So many great players with even better personalities. They don’t flinch. Very proud of this team. #Believe.
— Joe D’Amato (@badgerjoe33) December 17, 2021
Sweet rewards
Unbelievable match! @laurenbarnes_2 @sydneyhilley should never have to buy ice cream on the terrace again! 🍦 🍨 🏐🏐🏐
— Mark Massey (@mfmass) December 17, 2021
Not their first rodeo
Gritty. A season with a ton of great competition put them in a position to not get flustered. 🤞 that they finish strong on Saturday and show 'em what @BadgerVB is all about.
— Leonard Go (@LeonardGo) December 17, 2021
Appointment viewing
I can’t believe people chose to watch Thursday night football instead of this. Awesome match. #OnWisconsin
— Mitchell Gauger (@MitchellGauger) December 17, 2021
Hooked for life
I don't watch much volleyball, but that was one of the most entertaining sporting events I've watched in a long time! Go Badgers!
— Jason Falkinham (@GoBucky1) December 17, 2021
One for the ages
What a battle! #OnWisconsin
— Julie Pankow (@Julie_Pankow) December 17, 2021
Bucky out!
Not surprised. pic.twitter.com/EYipDH4Cpl
— Daniel Schumacher, MD, PhD (@DrDanSchumacher) December 17, 2021
Finishing strong
Smrek was amazing and they weathered that 2nd set and passing got better. What a battle. Orzol had good serves in the 2nd half, key kills and played better with her back against the wall. Barnes is a superhero and the block? Better at the end too. #Badgers
— Kevin Murphy (@kjmurphy88) December 17, 2021
One to remember
There is hardly any senior class whose Badger careers I’m happy to see maximized than this one.
— Laura in the 608, Anna Smrek stan (@hemming_hawing) December 17, 2021
Exceeding the hype
Every bit the showdown I thought it would be and more.
— Tom Kahl (@Tomaskahl) December 17, 2021
Making a statement
Seeing Dana’s raw joy for Anna & Devyn reminds me of these seniors’ freshman year, when Grace had a breakout performance at the tourney and Gilly & Bates were so, so happy for her. We saw the present & the future of the program tonight.
— My name is not Angela (@BlingSing) December 17, 2021
Can't keep 'em down
Amazing rallies. #Badgers experience prevailed. As Al McGuire would say “I don’t like going into the NCAA tournament unbeaten.” Louisville tightened up in set 5. Great match! Barnes is amazing
— Bob Lewis (@AppletonTech) December 17, 2021
Enough said
Anna. Smrek. @anna_smrekk
— The MadHouse (@TheMadHouseUW) December 17, 2021
Starts at the top
Kelly Sheffield is a quiet genius. The game plan here was impeccable and his game management was outstanding. He deserves more credit than he gets.
— Clay Greene (@greenesail) December 17, 2021
Built for battle
I watched a few of the matches this year, so I knew they were a top team in the country. Watching this match tonight was just amazing. Wisconsin is just set for a destiny and Saturday night will be fun!!
— Neal Gosz (@neal_gosz) December 17, 2021
Showing how it's done
Wonderful. Amazing game for the sport on the national stage. What a showing by the freshman!
— Dwight Snoot (@Mountainbadger) December 17, 2021
On the edge of our seats
I was super paranoid the service errors would end us. Can’t wait
— Manny Garski (@GarskiHouse) December 17, 2021
Ready to party
Were gonna win it all and Madison is gonna be wild! #OnWisconsin
— Daren Helmenstine (@helmenstine34) December 17, 2021
Enjoy the show!
What a match between two awesome teams. Already got tickets for Sat. Road trip
— BadgerFan (@divot516) December 17, 2021
More than a nail-biter
I lost years off of my life and ground my teeth to nubs. What an amazing performance by Anna Smrek. So much fight with this group.
— Cory Stinebrink (@CoryStinebrink) December 17, 2021
No backing down
EPIC!! Showed their resilience yet again! Never give up!!
— Denise Stanley (@CrakMeUp) December 17, 2021
Think happy thoughts
Service errors a bit scary but what a great night for Anna Smrek. On to the Final!
— Modris Jaunzems (@ModrisJZ) December 17, 2021
Brimming with bravado
Never a doubt!!
— Brian Suttie (@BigDaddySutt) December 17, 2021
Don't forget to breathe
Gave me a stroke #OnWisconsin
— Chelsea (@chelsea__mack) December 17, 2021
This checks out
Lauren. Barnes. That’s all
— WSAlum (@kth5379) December 17, 2021
A reason to believe
As you you reported earlier this team reminds us of a Badger basketball team. So many great players with even better personalities. They don’t flinch. Very proud of this team. #Believe.
— Joe D’Amato (@badgerjoe33) December 17, 2021
Stunning similarities
32-1! Just like 38-1!
— Chris Davis (@cdavis20000) December 17, 2021
Been there, done that
Wisconsin: knocking off undefeated teams from the Bluegrass State in the national semifinals since 2015
— Craig Smith (@smithcp1) December 17, 2021
Passion pays off
Aggression is rewarded.
— Tom Kahl (@Tomaskahl) December 17, 2021
Sweet rewards
Unbelievable match! @laurenbarnes_2 @sydneyhilley should never have to buy ice cream on the terrace again! 🍦 🍨 🏐🏐🏐
— Mark Massey (@mfmass) December 17, 2021
Experience offers an edge
Experienced #Badgers prevail. #Louisville looked tight in 5th set. Great match
— Bob Lewis (@AppletonTech) December 17, 2021
Not their first rodeo
Gritty. A season with a ton of great competition put them in a position to not get flustered. 🤞 that they finish strong on Saturday and show 'em what @BadgerVB is all about.
— Leonard Go (@LeonardGo) December 17, 2021
Overcoming the odds
Beating #1 even with all those service errors…that is incredible.
— Kent (@madisonseattle) December 17, 2021
Appointment viewing
I can’t believe people chose to watch Thursday night football instead of this. Awesome match. #OnWisconsin
— Mitchell Gauger (@MitchellGauger) December 17, 2021
Hooked for life
I don't watch much volleyball, but that was one of the most entertaining sporting events I've watched in a long time! Go Badgers!
— Jason Falkinham (@GoBucky1) December 17, 2021
One for the ages
What a battle! #OnWisconsin
— Julie Pankow (@Julie_Pankow) December 17, 2021
Bucky out!
Not surprised. pic.twitter.com/EYipDH4Cpl
— Daniel Schumacher, MD, PhD (@DrDanSchumacher) December 17, 2021
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