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Wisconsin Volleyball team back in NCAA National Semifinals (AUDIO)

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Molly Haggerty

For the second straight year, the Wisconsin volleyball team will compete in the NCAA National Semifinals.  The Badgers (15-0) advanced with a 30-28, 18-25, 25-22, 18-25, 15-12 win over eighth-seeded Florida on Monday night from the CHI Health Center Arena in Omaha, Nebraska.

Redshirt senior Molly Haggerty led Wisconsin with 17 kills while Dana Rettke had 16 and Grace Loberg 10.

The Badgers had been forced to go five sets all season long, but they were put to the challenge by the Gators on Monday night.

Wisconsin hit a season-low .153 (59 kills – 30 errors – 189 attempts) against the Gators that hit .170 (63-31-188).

The Badgers were out-blocked 12-9, marking just the second time this season they have been out-blocked.  Freshman Devyn Robinson recorded a career-high six blocks to lead UW. [Read more…]

Baseball suspends Cubs reliever for throwing at Brewers Woodruff (AUDIO)

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Brandon Woodruff

Major League Baseball announced Thursday the suspension of Chicago Cubs reliever Ryan Tepera for three games and fined him an undisclosed amount of money for throwing at Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff during Tuesday nights game at American Family Field.

Tepera’s suspension was due to start Friday when the Cubs open a home series against the Atlanta Braves, but he is appealing the decision.

Cubs manager David Ross received a one-game suspension and will serve it Friday.

Tepera’s pitch in the fifth inning missed its intended target, going behind Woodruff’s legs.  It’s believed the pitch came in retaliation for Woodruff hitting Cubs catcher Willson Contreras in the fourth inning.  It’s the 3rd time this season that Contreras has been hit by Brewers pitchers in five games.

There were no ejections in the game, but the home plate umpire warned both benches and the remainder of the game went without further incident.

The Brewers and Cubs play each other again in a three-game series at the end of next week at Wrigley Field.

AUDIO: Mgr. Craig Counsell on pitchers pitching inside :23

AUDIO: Craig Counsell said intent is the key :14

Badger women’s soccer advances to Big Ten title game

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For the second time in three weeks, the Wisconsin women’s soccer team took down No. 22 Rutgers, earning a 2-1 win in Thurday’s semifinals of the 2020-21 Big Ten Women’s Soccer Tournament at Jeffrey Field in University Park, Pennsylvania.

Senior Lauren Rice and sophomore Emma Jaskaniec scored second-half goals for the Badgers (7-3-3) to propel UW to their first Big Ten tournament title game appearance since 2014.

UW improved to 6-1-2 all-time against Rutgers.  Thursday’s win was the Badgers’ second over a ranked team this year.

Wisconsin will face Iowa in the Big Ten Tournament title game on Sunday at 11 a.m. CT.  The game, which is a rematch of the 2014 Big Ten title game that UW won, can be seen live on the Big Ten Network.

Wisconsin volleyball advances to eighth-straight NCAA Sweet 16

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Despite being tested in the second set, the No. 1-seed Wisconsin volleyball team swept Weber State in the second round of the NCAA Championship on Thursday night at the CHI Health Center Convention Center in Omaha, Nebraska.

Wisconsin (16-0) won its first tournament match with a 25-17, 25-19, 25-15 sweep of the Wildcats (19-2) to remain undefeated on the season.

As a team, the Badgers hit .408 (45-4-98), marking the third time this season hitting over .400, as Sydney Hilley put up 37 assists.  Weber State hit just .175 (36-16-114).

Wisconsin’s defense outblocked the Wildcats 11-4 behind a season-high nine blocks from Danielle Hart.  Devyn Robinson added a career-high five stuffs.

The Badgers advance to their eighth-straight NCAA Sweet 16 under head coach Kelly Sheffield.  Wisconsin will be making its 18th overall regional appearance in 24 tournament appearances.  UW improves to 52-23 all-time in NCAA tournament appearances with Thursday nights win.

The Badgers will play the winner of UCLA and BYU, which kicks off at 9:30 p.m. Thursday evening, either on Saturday or Sunday in the regional semifinals.

 

Brewers place Cain on injured list

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The Milwaukee Brewers put centerfielder Lorenzo Cain on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with a left quadriceps strain.

The 35-year-old outfielder suffered the injury while running to first base in Tuesday night’s 3-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs at American Family Field.  The Brewers called up outfielder Tyrone Taylor from their alternate training site.

Cain suffered a right quadriceps injury during spring training, which allowed him to play in just seven preseason games.  He is hitting just .154 in seven regular-season games with two home runs and four RBI.

Taylor was one of the Brewers last players cut out of spring camp.  He hit .293 in 19 games with 2 HR and four RBI.  He hit .237 with two home runs and six RBI in 22 games during the pandemic shortened 2020 season.

Davison to return to Badgers next season

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Brad Davison (Photo by David Stluka)

At least one veteran player will be returning to the Wisconsin Badger men’s basketball team next season.

Guard Brad Davison announced on Twitter on Wednesday that he plans to return to Wisconsin for his final season, taking advantage of the NCAA’s decision that athletes who competed in their sport during the 2020-21 academic year could so so without losing a season of eligibility.

Davison has started 124 of 218 games during his first four seasons and averaged 10 points and 3.5 rebounds a game last season.

“After taking some time to reflect, there is no place I would rather be than in Madison,” said Davison.

“Being a Badger is a privilege.  I am grateful for one last ride with my coaches and teammates this upcoming season!”

Teammate D’Mitrik Trice decided not to return for an extra season and Trevor Anderson, who originally started his collegiate career at Green Bay, has decided to transfer to Valparaiso for his final season.

 

American Family Insurance Championship to return this summer

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University Ridge Golf Course

The American Family Insurance Championship is back in 2021 with plans to allow up to 5,000 attendees each day at University Ridge Golf Course.

The PGA Tour Champions event is scheduled for the week of June 5-13 with the three-day event to be held June 11-13.

The 5,000 daily attendees includes players, caddies, spectators, tournament staff and volunteers.  Face coverings will be required for all spectators, staff and volunteers unless actively eating or drinking.  Public bleacher seating will not be available.

The fan-favorite celebrity foursome, which has helped attract Saturday crowds of up to 25,000, will not be held this year but will return in 2022.

The American Family Insurance Championship has raised $10.2 million for American Family Children’s Hospital and more than 400 non-profits since its debut in 2016.

Tickets for the event will go on sale May 11.  Information on ticket availability can be obtained online at amfamchampionship.com under the “Get Tickets” link.

 

Brookfield Central’s David Joplin picks Marquette

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Brookfield Central’s 6’7 forward David Joplin will play college basketball for Shaka Smart at Marquette next season.

Joplin signed to play for Smart at Texas but was granted his release from his national letter of intent after Smart was hired by Marquette.  Now he’ll play close to home in Milwaukee after averaging 25.6 points, 10.6 rebounds and two assists per game last season at Brookfield Central.  Joplin shot 53% overall from the field and 37.5% from three-point range.

Joplin was not initially offered a scholarship at Marquette when Steve Wojciechowski as the head coach.

Joplin is joined by Emarion Ellis (Iowa) and Keeyan Itejere (North Carolina) as recruits that committed to Smart at Texas and then followed him to Marquette.  Two players initially signed by Wojciechowski in November, Kameron Jones and Stevie Mitchell are also in Marquette’s 2021 class.

Wisconsin’s Mr. Basketball picks Illinois

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The 2021 Wisconsin Mr. Basketball has picked Illinois for his college basketball home next season.  Brandin Podziemski picked the Illini over finalists Kentucky, Wake Forest, Miami and Vanderbilt.

Podziemski averaged 35.1 points, 10 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 4.0 steals per game while shooting 60% from the field and 43.4% from three-point range at St. John’s Northwestern Academy as a senior last season.

The 6’6 guard/forward averaged 2,154 points during his prep career and becomes the third member of Illinois’ 2021 recruiting class.  He’s expected to get an opportunity to play immediately with guard Ayo Dosunmu heading to the NBA and guard Adam Miller transferring.

 

Alvarez finalizes retirement plans from UW (AUDIO)

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Barry Alvarez

Barry Alvarez announced his retirement during a celebration in Madison on Tuesday, making official what had been reported by various media outlets in the past two weeks.

Alvarez has been at the University of Wisconsin for nearly 32 years, including the final 18 as the school’s Director of Athletics and will officially retire on June 30, 2021.

Under his watch, Wisconsin produced 16 National Championship teams and 74 conference regular-season or tournament crowns.  In 2017-18, the 74-year-old Alvarez captured Under Armour Athletic Director of the Year honors.

His impact goes beyond the playing field too.  Alvarez oversaw numerous capital projects and inspired donors to contribute more than $150 million over the past 10 years.  During his tenure, UW Athletics’ endowment to support student-athlete scholarships more than doubled and rose to one of the largest in the Big Ten. [Read more…]