COLUMBUS, Ohio — Sydney Hilley had pictured the scene so many times that it felt like she’d actually lived it at some point.
People are also reading…
The University of Wisconsin volleyball team defeated the Nebraska Cornhuskers in a thrilling five-set NCAA title match to win the program's first national championship on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
Photos: Wisconsin Badgers volleyball team takes down Nebraska Cornhuskers to win NCAA title
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
Wisconsin react after defeating Nebraska in the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
orzol main 12-26
UW's Julia Orzol, who finished her freshman season playing on an injured leg, figures to see her role grow significantly next season.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
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.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
Wisconsin's Jade Demps (15) prepares to serve the ball during the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament against Nebraska Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
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.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
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.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
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.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
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.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
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.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
Fans wait for the arrival of the Wisconsin and Nebraska women's volleyball teams prior to the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament, Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
Fans wait for the arrival of the Wisconsin and Nebraska women's volleyball teams prior to the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament, Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
Wisconsin players huddle prior to the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament against Nebraska Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
Fans attend the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament between Wisconsin and Nebraska Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
Wisconsin's Grace Loberg (21) spikes the ball over Nebraska's Nicklin Hames (1) and Lauren Stivrins (26) during the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
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.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
Nebraska's reserve players stand on the sidelines during the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament against Wisconsin Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
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.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
Nebraska's Lauren Stivrins (26) spikes the ball during the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament against Wisconsin Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
Wisconsin fans cheer during the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament against Nebraska Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
Nebraska reserve players react after their team is scored on by Wisconsin during the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
Nebraska players huddle during the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament against Wisconsin Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
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.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
Nebraska's reserve players react after their team scores a point during the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament against Wisconsin Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
Nebraska's Madi Kubik (10) digs the ball during the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament against Wisconsin Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
Nebraska head coach John Cook sits on the sidelines during the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament against Wisconsin Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
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.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
Wisconsin react after defeating Nebraska in the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
orzol main 12-26
UW's Julia Orzol, who finished her freshman season playing on an injured leg, figures to see her role grow significantly next season.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
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.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
Wisconsin's Jade Demps (15) prepares to serve the ball during the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament against Nebraska Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
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.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
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.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
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.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
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.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
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.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
Fans wait for the arrival of the Wisconsin and Nebraska women's volleyball teams prior to the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament, Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
Fans wait for the arrival of the Wisconsin and Nebraska women's volleyball teams prior to the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament, Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
Wisconsin players huddle prior to the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament against Nebraska Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
Fans attend the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament between Wisconsin and Nebraska Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
Wisconsin's Grace Loberg (21) spikes the ball over Nebraska's Nicklin Hames (1) and Lauren Stivrins (26) during the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
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.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
Nebraska's reserve players stand on the sidelines during the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament against Wisconsin Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
sheffield photo 8-6
UW coach Kelly Sheffield speaks to his team during the NCAA final against Nebraska last December. He's led the Badgers to four Big Ten titles, four Final Four appearances and one national title.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
Nebraska's Lauren Stivrins (26) spikes the ball during the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament against Wisconsin Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
Wisconsin fans cheer during the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament against Nebraska Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
Nebraska reserve players react after their team is scored on by Wisconsin during the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
Nebraska players huddle during the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament against Wisconsin Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
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.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
Nebraska's reserve players react after their team scores a point during the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament against Wisconsin Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
Nebraska's Madi Kubik (10) digs the ball during the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament against Wisconsin Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
Nebraska head coach John Cook sits on the sidelines during the championship match of the NCAA women's college volleyball tournament against Wisconsin Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
NCAA Wisconsin Nebraska Volleyball
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.
Contact Jim Polzin at jpolzin@madison.com.
