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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