When No. 15 Indiana volleyball took the court against No. 6 Wisconsin on Thursday night, the Hoosiers had an experience advantage.
Indiana’s starting lineup had two fifth-year players — middle blocker Kiki Granberry and opposite hitter Avry Tatum — and just one freshman — outside hitter Sara Snowbarger. Wisconsin’s starting lineup, in contrast, had four freshmen and just one senior.
However, the Hoosiers did not use that advantage to their benefit against the Badgers on Thursday night in Madison, Wisconsin. Indiana lost in five sets (19-25, 14-25, 25-22, 25-20, 8-15) to Wisconsin. Badger freshman outside hitter Audrey Flanagan dominated the match with 17 kills on a .441 hitting percentage.
Both squads went back and forth for much of the first set before a 5-0 Badger run, which included three points from freshmen, gave Wisconsin a 24-17 lead. Three rallies later, Wisconsin claimed the first set.
In the second set, the Badgers gained a quick 8-2 advantage off multiple service aces, Indiana errors and points from its first-year players. Wisconsin continued its relentless attack, while Indiana struggled to stop the Badgers' momentum, as the Hoosiers dropped the set by 11 points.
The third set started similarly to the first, with both squads trading points. However, Indiana created separation with a 5-2 run to end the set, with Tatum contributing to three of the Hoosiers’ final five points.
Tatum remained dominant in the fourth game, recording six points in the set to help extend the match to a fifth set. But when the match-deciding set came, Tatum’s production slowed.
Indiana couldn’t find offensive rhythm in the final game, and when Tatum could have been a veteran presence for the Hoosiers to lean on, she recorded three errors — attack, blocking and service — along with three kills.
Indiana’s most experienced players also struggled against Wisconsin.
While Tatum played well in the third and fourth sets, she held a negative hitting percentage for part of the second set and was tied with Indiana sophomore outside hitter Jaidyn Jager for the most total errors in the match at 13.
Granberry, who transferred to Indiana from the University of Tennessee over the offseason, started the match for Indiana. But after five attack errors, no kills and a -.714 hitting percentage after the first game, Granberry joined her teammates on the sideline and only returned to the court for part of the third set.
Of Wisconsin’s 107 points scored against Indiana, 38.5 came from freshmen. Flanagan and freshman middle blocker Lynney Tarnow recorded 19 and nine points, respectively. Thursday’s match continued a trend for the Badgers as its freshmen athletes make up almost 50% of Wisconsin’s total scoring in the 2026 season.
While the roster is young, 13th-year Wisconsin head coach Kelly Sheffield set up his squad for success this season through the Badgers’ nonconference schedule.
Wisconsin recorded four losses before Big Ten play started, but three were to top five teams, and the other was to then-No. 9 University of Texas at Austin. The Badgers also beat three ranked opponents in their nonconference slate.
Those matches provided Wisconsin with the opportunity to play in big matches before conference play started. The Badgers are now 3-0 in the Big Ten, all against ranked teams.
That’s not to say the Hoosiers’ nonconference schedule didn’t prepare ninth-year Indiana head coach Steve Aird’s squad for Big Ten play. The Cream and Crimson played three ranked opponents before conference play, and only one match resulted in a win.
However, Sheffield’s squad — despite being so young — took advantage of the Hoosiers.
Thursday marked Tatum’s second match back after she was granted her fifth year of eligibility. While Granberry played through Indiana’s nonconference slate, the transfer is coming off an injury and still transitioning to her new team.
While Indiana's two oldest players are still trying to find their rhythm, their veteran presence will be critical for the Hoosiers as they continue to battle against one of the most challenging conferences in the nation.
Of the 18 teams in the Big Ten, 12 are either ranked or received votes in the most recent American Volleyball Coaches Association rankings. The Hoosiers have only played two of those opponents so far — UCLA and Wisconsin — while the other nine await the Cream and Crimson later in the season.
Tatum and Granberry will impact Indiana in those matchups, but whether it's positive or negative for the Hoosiers is yet to be determined.
Follow reporters Savannah Slone (@savrivers06 and srslone@iu.edu) and Kasey Watkins (@KaseyWatki87731 and kaslwatk@iu.edu) for updates throughout the Indiana volleyball season.
