Wisconsin volleyball finds itself in a familiar position in the latest AVCA coaches poll.
The Badgers dropped one spot to No. 6 in the Sept. 7 release, landing at the same ranking they held in the 2026 preseason poll.
UW’s slip came despite a 2-0 week that included a hard-fought five-set victory over then-No. 17 Florida and a straight-sets win over unranked Auburn. Florida has since climbed to No. 10 after sweeping No. 20 Baylor and North Texas.
Wisconsin women’s volleyball vs. Florida at the UW Field House
Wisconsin outside hitter Grace Egan (32) hits the ball past Florida middle blocker Brooklyn Briscoe (4) during their match Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026 at the UW Field House in Madison, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Wisconsin women’s volleyball vs. Florida at the UW Field House
Wisconsin outside hitter Audrey Flanagan (22) hits the ball after a save by libero/defensive specialist Anna Bardaro (2) during their match against Florida Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026 at the UW Field House in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat Florida in five sets.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Wisconsin women’s volleyball vs. Florida at the UW Field House
Wisconsin libero/defensive specialist Kristen Simon (7) watches a spike past outside hitter Grace Lopez (23) during their match against Florida Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026 at the UW Field House in Madison, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Wisconsin women’s volleyball vs. Florida at the UW Field House
Wisconsin head coach Kelly Sheffield reacts to getting a yellow card during their match against Florida Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026 at the UW Field House in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat Florida in five sets.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Wisconsin women’s volleyball vs. Florida at the UW Field House
Wisconsin head coach Kelly Sheffield receives a yellow card for colorful language during their match against Florida Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026 at the UW Field House in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat Florida in five sets.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Wisconsin women’s volleyball vs. Florida at the UW Field House
Wisconsin outside hitter Grace Lopez (23) serves during their match against Florida Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026 at the UW Field House in Madison, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Wisconsin women’s volleyball vs. Florida at the UW Field House
Wisconsin outside hitter Grace Lopez (23) serves during their match against Florida Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026 at the UW Field House in Madison, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Wisconsin women’s volleyball vs. Florida at the UW Field House
Wisconsin outside hitter Eva Travis (5) spikes the ball during their match against Florida Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026 at the UW Field House in Madison, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Wisconsin women’s volleyball vs. Florida at the UW Field House
Wisconsin outside hitter Audrey Flanagan (22) hits the ball during their match against Florida Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026 at the UW Field House in Madison, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Wisconsin women’s volleyball vs. Florida at the UW Field House
Wisconsin outside hitter Audrey Flanagan (22) serves during their match against Florida Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026 at the UW Field House in Madison, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Wisconsin women’s volleyball vs. Florida at the UW Field House
Florida middle blocker Alec Rothe (25) and opposite Logan King (8) react to a point during their match against Wisconsin Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026 at the UW Field House in Madison, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Wisconsin women’s volleyball vs. Florida at the UW Field House
Wisconsin libero/defensive specialist Kristen Simon (7) sets the ball during their match against Florida Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026 at the UW Field House in Madison, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Wisconsin women’s volleyball vs. Florida at the UW Field House
Wisconsin outside hitter Grace Egan (32) is shown during their match against Florida Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026 at the UW Field House in Madison, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Wisconsin women’s volleyball vs. Florida at the UW Field House
Wisconsin outside hitter Audrey Flanagan (22) is shown during their match against Florida Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026 at the UW Field House in Madison, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Wisconsin women’s volleyball vs. Florida at the UW Field House
Wisconsin libero/defensive specialist Kristen Simon (7) is unable to make a save during their match against Florida Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026 at the UW Field House in Madison, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Wisconsin women’s volleyball vs. Florida at the UW Field House
Wisconsin middle blocker Lynney Tarnow (20) is shown during their match against Florida Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026 at the UW Field House in Madison, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Wisconsin women’s volleyball vs. Florida at the UW Field House
Wisconsin libero/defensive specialist Kristen Simon (7) serves during their match against Florida Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026 at the UW Field House in Madison, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Wisconsin women’s volleyball vs. Florida at the UW Field House
Florida opposite Logan King (8) hits the ball past Wisconsin middle blocker Kymora Scott (88) and outside hitter Eva Travis (5) during their match Florida Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026 at the UW Field House in Madison, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Wisconsin women’s volleyball vs. Florida at the UW Field House
Florida setter Alexis Stucky (5) hits the ball past Wisconsin setter Charlie Fuerbringer (24) and Kymora Scott (88) during their match against Florida Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026 at the UW Field House in Madison, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Wisconsin women’s volleyball vs. Florida at the UW Field House
Wisconsin basketball player Braeden Carrington, front right, cheers with fans during the Wisconsin women’s volleyball match against Florida Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026 at the UW Field House in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat Florida in five sets.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Wisconsin women’s volleyball vs. Florida at the UW Field House
Wisconsin head coach Kelly Sheffield is shown before their match against Florida Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026 at the UW Field House in Madison, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Wisconsin women’s volleyball vs. Florida at the UW Field House
Wisconsin head coach Kelly Sheffield is shown during their match against Florida Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026 at the UW Field House in Madison, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Wisconsin women’s volleyball vs. Florida at the UW Field House
Wisconsin head coach Kelly Sheffield is shown during their match against Florida Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026 at the UW Field House in Madison, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Wisconsin women’s volleyball vs. Florida at the UW Field House
Wisconsin outside hitter Decelise Champion, right, is shown before their match against Florida Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026 at the UW Field House in Madison, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Wisconsin women’s volleyball vs. Florida at the UW Field House
Wisconsin head coach Kelly Sheffield talks to outside hitter Audrey Flanagan (22) during their match against Florida Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026 at the UW Field House in Madison, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Louisville, which suffered its only loss to UW on Aug. 22, vaulted ahead of the Badgers in the poll after sweeping Dayton, then-No. 18 TCU, and No. 9 Texas. The Cardinals enter the week at 5-1 with four ranked victories, compared to Wisconsin’s 3-3 record and two ranked wins.
Other Big Ten clubs in the current poll include No. 1 Nebraska, No. 12 Penn State, No. 13 Minnesota, No. 14 Purdue, No. 16 USC, No. 21 Indiana, and No. 24 Oregon. UCLA and Michigan are receiving votes.
Kelly Sheffield’s Badgers will look to climb back in the rankings with tough road tests against No. 19 Texas A&M on Sept. 11 and No. 9 Texas on Sept. 13. UW remains winless in true road matches this season.
Florida opposite Logan King (8) hits the ball past Wisconsin middle blocker Kymora Scott (88) and outside hitter Eva Travis (5) during their match Florida Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026 at the UW Field House in Madison, Wisconsin.
Sept. 7 AVCA coaches poll
-
Nebraska (54 first-place votes)