Taking 66 points to settle, the fourth set became a tense back-and-forth sprint between Florida and Wisconsin, where every rally felt like a match point.
The Gators and the Badgers traded blows at 14, 15, 16 and every point after 20.
Both sides misfired at the service line, keeping the crowd restless as the score climbed past 30. But when it mattered most, Wisconsin leaned on senior outside hitter Mimi Colyer.
The powerhouse hitter, who leads the Big Ten in kills per set, ripped cross-court missiles and back-row swings until her season-high 27 kills sealed the nonconference finale for the Badgers.
The Gators (5-3) fell 3-1 to the No. 7 Badgers (6-1) Sunday afternoon in Madison, Wisconsin, at the Kohl Center. The seventh-ranked Wisconsin team defended its home court in front of a packed crowd, closing Florida’s nonconference slate with a statement win.
Still, Florida showed grit in the fight. Sophomore outside hitter Aniya Madkin powered the offense early with 18 kills, becoming one of the key offensive weapons next to sophomore outside hitter Jordyn Byrd. Byrd contributed at both ends, recording 10 kills and three blocks despite hitting under .100.
Another pivotal defensive player was sophomore middle blocker Alec Rothe. Rothe delivered some of the night’s biggest moments for Florida. After powering through the first three sets with efficient swings, Rothe came in clutch in the fourth. She stifled Wisconsin’s hitters with well-timed blocks and kept long rallies alive with scrappy saves at the net.
Her 13 kills on a .500 hitting percentage paired with four blocks gave the Gators a reliable presence when points grew tense. Rothe’s late defensive plays also helped Florida extend the marathon set deep into the 30s.
Another tool in Florida’s repertoire was team chemistry, which was on full display throughout the match. In the third set, junior setter Alexis Stucky assisted Rothe in making a big block and nearly knocked her over with a chest bump, sparking momentum. Later, she showed trust by going back to hitters even after errors, giving her attackers confidence.
Still, Colyer’s dominance was the difference. Her relentless offensive plays wore down Florida’s block and back row, with cross-court shots slicing through seams and back-row swings catching defenders on their heels.
On match point, she rose above the net, hammering a ball off the hands of Florida’s block and down onto the hardwood. Colyer was supported by sophomore outside hitter Grace Egan’s seven blocks and sophomore setter Charlie Fuerbringer’s 50 assists, which pushed Wisconsin to victory.
Florida will return home to face Mississippi State (10-0) at the Exactech Arena Friday at 7 p.m.
Contact Isis Snow at isnow@alligator.org. Follow her on X @isis_snoww.
Isis is a junior sports journalism student and is the volleyball beat reporter for fall 2025. This is her third semester with The Alligator. She enjoys reading, playing basketball and weight lifting in her free time.
