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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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

FAQs

Has Wisconsin women's volleyball ever won a national championship? ›

NCAA SUCCESS

The Badgers won the 2021 NCAA Championship, the first in program history. UW also finished as the NCAA runner-up in 2019 and 2013 while advancing to the final four in 2020. Wisconsin qualified for the Elite Eight in 2022, 2018, 2016 and 2014 and the Sweet 16 in 2017 and 2015.

How to watch college volleyball? ›

The championship game will air live on ESPN on Saturday at 5 p.m. ET. How can I watch it on streaming? Fans can catch this weekend's action in the NCAA men's volleyball streaming hub on ESPN+.

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How many people were at the Wisconsin volleyball game? ›

18,755: Wisconsin defeated Nebraska on Dec. 18, 2021 at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio in the NCAA final.

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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.

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Who is the winningest coach in women's college volleyball? ›

Entering 2023, Peggy Martin, who previously coached at Central Missouri and currently coaches at Spring Hill College, is the all-time leader with 1,434 wins. Russ Rose of Penn State achieved the most NCAA Division I wins with 1,330. Dave Shoji of Hawaii, with 1202 Division I wins, leads in win percentage at .

What is the highest attendance at a women's volleyball game? ›

30 Nebraska vs. Omaha match drew 92,003 fans to the football team's Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska, breaking the world record for the largest attendance at a women's sporting event.

What is the highest attendance at a women's game? ›

A world record was set by the University of Nebraska for “the largest crowd to witness a women's sports event,” when “92,003 fans watched the five-time NCAA champion Nebraska volleyball team beat Omaha 3-0,” ESPN reported.

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How many times have the University of Wisconsin Madison women's team won the national title? ›

NCAA National Titles

Sport	Year(s)
Men's Ice Hockey (6):	1973, 1977, 1981, 1983, 1990, 2006
Men's Cross Country (6):	1982, 1983, 1985, 1988, 2005, 2011
Women's Ice Hockey (7):	2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2019, 2021, 2023
Women's Cross Country (2):	1984, 1985

5 more rows

Nov 21, 2017

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Has Wisconsin ever won an NCAA championship? ›

In 1941, Foster led the Badgers to their only national championship in history. With the help of tournament MOP John Kotz and All-American Gene Englund, the Badgers beat Washington State 39–34 in the final game of the NCAA Tournament.

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Who won the 2018 NCAA women's volleyball championship? ›

The 2018 NCAA Division I women's volleyball tournament began on November 29, 2018, and concluded on December 15 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The tournament field was announced on November 25, 2018. Stanford beat Nebraska in the final to claim their eighth national championship.

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Who won the 2017 NCAA women's volleyball championship? ›

Nebraska

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

FAQs

Has Wisconsin women's volleyball ever won a national championship? ›

What is the highest attendance at a women's volleyball game? ›

References