Former Northwestern and Wisconsin volleyball outside hitter Temi Thomas-Ailara will play professional volleyball for LOVB Madison.
Founded by former Badger Lauren Carlini, an AVCA First-Team All-American and 2014 Big Ten Player of the Year during her four seasons in Madison, the league focuses on its player development from junior volleyball clubs to the pros.
Thomas-Ailara becomes the latest new athlete to join LOVB Madison, along with former ACC Player of the Year Claire Chaussee and former Ohio State Offensive Player of the Year Taylor Sandbothe,
Following four seasons at Northwestern, Thomas-Ailara transferred to UW for her fifth year of collegiate eligibility. The Glenwood, Illinois native appeared in 33 matches and played in 116 sets in 2023.
Her 2.31 kills per set were ranked fourth on the team. She also posted double-figure kills in 14 of her matches.
As a Wildcat, the 6-foot-2 outside hitter shined as a 2022 AVCA Second-Team All-American, two-time AVCA All-Region selection and 2020-22 First Team All-Big Ten team member. She played 101 matches at Northwestern and even led the Big Ten with 502 kills in 2022.
She just couldn’t stay away from Madison 😍 @temi_t_ began her college career at @nuvball and then made the move to @badgervb for her final year. She earned First-Team All-Big Ten, AVCA All-Region, and was an All-American 🤩 Welcome to LOVB Madison! #lovbmad #TemiThomasAilara 🩵 pic.twitter.com/F7ydVjN9LJ
— LOVB Madison Volleyball (@lovbmad) July 3, 2024
Thomas-Ailara joins Carlini, Dana Rettke and Sarah Franklin as Wisconsin volleyball’s latest success story. The program has appeared in two NCAA Championship games over the past decade and will look to avenge its lost to Texas in the 2023 national semifinals this fall.