NCAA volleyball tournament: Wisconsin pulled off a stunning 3-1 upset over No. 2 Stanford on December 12, while Texas demolished Indiana in a 3-0 sweep in the regional finals. Both matches sent winners into the Elite Eight with tickets to the NCAA Championship on the line.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Wisconsin defeated Stanford 25-17, 21-25, 25-23, 25-22 in the Sweet 16 at Gregory Gymnasium in Austin, Texas
- Texas overpowered Indiana with a dominant 25-20, 25-22, 25-22 sweep, with outside hitter Torrey Stafford recording 19 kills and no errors
- Mimi Colyer had a career-best performance with 27 kills and 10 digs for Wisconsin, marking her 12th match this season with 20-plus kills
- Wisconsin and Texas will meet Sunday, December 14 for a berth in the Final Four with a championship berth on the line
Wisconsin Stuns No. 2 Stanford in Historic Victory
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The third-seeded Badgers won their first match in program history against Stanford, ending years of futility against the Cardinal. Wisconsin dominated the first set 25-17, but Stanford fought back to take the second set 25-21. The teams traded sets as Wisconsin took charge in the fourth set to seal the upset victory.
Outside hitter Mimi Colyer was unstoppable for Wisconsin, finishing with 27 kills on 51 attempts with just 8 errors, while also adding 10 digs. The performance included her 2,000th career kill, a significant milestone in her Badger career. Middle blocker Carter Booth contributed 14 kills to the effort, helping Wisconsin hit .420 for the match.
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Stanford’s 29-4 record and No. 2 seeding meant nothing against Wisconsin’s relentless offense. The Badgers came in on an 11-match winning streak and showed why they belong in the Elite Eight, converting their chances when it mattered most.
Texas Dominates Indiana in Convincing Regional Final Performance
Top-seeded Texas dispatched No. 4 Indiana with clinical efficiency, taking down the fourth-seeded Hoosiers in straight sets. The Longhorns won by identical margins in sets two and three, showing balanced scoring across the lineup while Indiana struggled to find rhythm against Texas’ aggressive serving and blocking.
Outside hitter Torrey Stafford put on a clinic for Texas, recording 19 kills without a single error, displaying elite ball control and court awareness. Whitney Lauenstein delivered the match-clinching kill in set three, sending the Longhorns to the regional finals. Texas’ hitting efficiency and service aggressiveness proved too much for Indiana’s defense to manage throughout the match.
Indiana’s historic tournament run came to an end despite their impressive NCAA Tournament appearance. The Hoosiers mounted no serious challenges in any of the three sets, with Texas controlling tempo and execution from start to finish.
Match Results and Set Breakdown
| Match | Teams | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 |
| Regional Semifinal | Wisconsin vs. Stanford | 25-17 | 21-25 | 25-23 | 25-22 |
| Regional Final | Texas vs. Indiana | 25-20 | 25-22 | 25-22 | — |
Key Player Performances Decide Elite Eight Matchups
Wisconsin’s Mimi Colyer proved why she’s one of college volleyball’s elite outside hitters, combining power with precision to rack up 27 kills on .373 efficiency. Her ability to score from multiple positions gave Stanford’s back row no rest. Carter Booth’s 14 kills from middle blocker position provided crucial support, opening up gaps in Stanford’s defense.
For Texas, Torrey Stafford’s 19 kills with zero errors showed her mastery of court positioning. Her combination of power and placement gave Indiana no easy solutions. The Longhorns’ balanced attack spread Indiana’s defense too thin, preventing any defensive specialist from accumulating dominant performance numbers.
“Mimi Colyer had a blistering 27 kills on .373 hitting and 10 digs,” one analyst noted. “She also reached her 2,000th career kill in this match.”
— USA Today Sports
What’s Next? Elite Eight Showdown on Sunday Awaits
The Wisconsin Badgers will face top-seeded Texas on Sunday, December 14, with a Final Four berth on the line. This will be a rematch from earlier in the season, when Texas defeated Stanford in September. Wisconsin enters as underdogs but proved Friday they can compete with anyone in the nation.
Texas brings one of the most dominant seasons in college volleyball, while Wisconsin showed they have the firepower to shock top teams. The regional finals will air on ESPN/ABC, giving this Elite Eight matchup national prominence. Both teams advanced through Gregory Gymnasium in Austin, Texas, on Friday with commanding performances that showcase why they belong in contention for the national championship.
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.