Ohio State women's volleyball falls to No. 2 Wisconsin

OSU junior outside hitter Katie Mitchell (left) and sophomore middle Taylor Sandbothe attempt to block a Wisconsin shot as senior setter Taylor Sherwin (8) looks on during a match on Nov. 21 at St. John Arena. OSU lost, 3-0. Credit: Adrienne Robbins / Lantern photographer

Junior middle blocker Andrea Kacsits (4) prepares for a spike set up by senior setter Taylor Sherwin (8) during a match against Wisconsin on Nov. 21 at St. John Arena. OSU lost, 3-0. Credit: Adrienne Robbins / Lantern photographer

OSU faces off against conference opponent Wisconsin on Nov. 21 at St. John Arena. OSU lost, 3-0. Credit: Adrienne Robbins / Lantern photographer

Sophomore middle blocker Taylor Sandbothe (10) and freshman outside hitter Luisa Schirmer (5) combine to attempt a block during a match against Wisconsin on Nov. 21 at St. John Arena.OSU lost, 3-0. Credit: Adrienne Robbins / Lantern photographer

OSU junior outside hitter Elizabeth Campbell (14) successfully blocks a Wisconsin hitter during a match on Nov. 21 at St. John Arena. OSU lost, 3-0. Credit: Adrienne Robbins / Lantern photographer

Junior outside hitter Elizabeth Campbell (14) and junior middle blocker Andrea Kacsits (4) reach up to block a hit during a match against Wisconsin on Nov. 21 at St. John Arena. OSU lost, 3-0. Credit: Adrienne Robbins / Lantern photographer

OSU junior middle blocker Andrea Kacsits (4) and senior outside hitter Erin Sekinger (12) attempt to block a spike from Wisconsin sophomore middle blocker Haleigh Nelson (13) during a match on Nov. 21 at St. John Arena. OSU lost, 3-0. Credit: Adrienne Robbins / Lantern photographer

Sophomore middle blocker Taylor Sandbothe (10) goes up for a spike during a match against Wisconsin on Nov. 21 at St. John Arena. OSU lost, 3-0. Credit: Adrienne Robbins / Lantern photographer

Sophomore middle blocker Taylor Sandbothe (10) prepares to attempt a spike during a match against Wisconsin on Nov. 21 at St. John Arena. OSU lost, 3-0. Credit: Adrienne Robbins / Lantern photographer

Junior outside hitter Elizabeth Campbell (14) goes up for a spike during a match against Wisconsin on Nov. 21 at St. John Arena. OSU lost, 3-0. Credit: Adrienne Robbins / Lantern photographer

Sophomore middle blocker Taylor Sandbothe (10) celebrates with teammates after a point against Wisconsin during a match on Nov. 21 at St. John Arena. OSU lost, 3-0. Credit: Adrienne Robbins / Lantern photographer

Members of the OSU volleyball team shake hands with Wisconsin after a 3-0 loss Nov. 21 at St. John Arena. Credit: Adrienne Robbins / Lantern photographer

Despite a slow start in the first two sets, the No. 20 Buckeyes showed more aggression against the Badgers (26-2, 16-1) in the third set.

OSU got its first lead of the entire match in the third set and gained a 3-0 lead to start. The Buckeyes led 15-14 at one point, but an 11-7 run by the Badgers gave them the set and match win.

OSU freshman outside hitter Erin Chatman said that the team needs to bring the aggressive play from the third set to its match against Minnesota on Wednesday.

“I believe we need to bring the same energy that we had in the third set and keep working hard during practice,” Chatman said.

Junior outside hitter Elizabeth Campbell was the lone Buckeye to score double-digit kills against the Badgers with 10. Sophomore middle blocker Taylor Sandbothe had nine kills, while senior outside hitter Erin Sekinger had eight kills.

The Badgers had two players with double-digit kills in freshman outside hitter Kelli Bates, who had 13 kills on 24 attacks, and senior outside hitter Courtney Thomas, who had 10 kills on 19 attacks.

Senior outside hitter/defensive specialist Deme Morales, a native of Amherst, Ohio, tallied eight digs for the Badgers.

With the loss, the Buckeyes are now 19-11 overall and 10-8 in the Big Ten, and while that may not be the best record in the conference, OSU has a shot of still making the NCAA Tournament.

OSU is one of six Big Ten teams to be ranked in the American Volleyball Coaches Association top-25 poll.

Sophomore libero Valeria León said that the team needs to go out Wednesday and get a win for the seniors, especially with hopes of making the NCAA Tournament.

“Right now we just need to play for them,” León said. “I feel like it’s gonna be a really exciting night for us and especially for them.”

For the Badgers, they won their 17th-consecutive conference match, which is a school-record.

The Buckeyes’ match on Wednesday is its last home contest of the regular season, as they’re set to take on the Golden Gophers (18-11, 8-10). The Buckeyes lost to the then-No. 17 Golden Gophers earlier this season in five sets. Wednesday’s contest is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.