Injury diagnosis for Wisconsin volleyball All-American Sarah Franklin

MADISON – Sunday Wisconsin volleyball star Sarah Franklin injured her left ankle while competing for the United States national team at the NORCECA Pan American Cup Final Six in the Dominican Republic.

Wednesday Badgers coach Kelly Sheffield said the 6-foot-4 outside hitter suffered a sprained ankle with a small fracture. The timeline for her return has not been determined.

The good news for the Badgers is that UW is about a month away from the start of practice. Wisconsin opens the season Aug. 20 vs. Bradley at the Field House.

Franklin, the reigning national player of the year, suffered the injury midway through the third set of a five-set loss in the gold medal match. She appeared to land on the foot of a Dominican Republic player after attempting a block. At the time the United States led the set, 14-13, and the match was tied at one set apiece.

During the rest of the match Franklin could be seen on the bench with ice on her ankle. She participated in the medal ceremony without the aid of crutches though she walked with a limp.

She returned to Madison on Monday and was checked out by the UW medical staff Tuesday and Wednesday.

Franklin’s injury brought to a premature end what was a strong showing in her first appearance for the senior national team. She finished with 33 kills, four blocks, two aces and a 54% attack percentage.