Tag: wisconsin volleyball

Wisconsin volleyball earns exhibition match victory in first action of 2024 season

Wisconsin volleyball earns exhibition match victory in first action of 2024 season

The Wisconsin Badgers’ volleyball program previewed its 2024 season with a strong showing on Tuesday.

With six newcomers in its lineup, Wisconsin swept Bradley 25-17, 25-22, 25-14 in an exhibition match before a packed crowd at UW’s Field House.

As members of its starting lineup, freshmen Charlie Fuerbringer (setter) and Trinity Shadd-Ceres helped UW generate an 11-4 scoring surge to close out Bradley in its first set.

Bradley captured a lead early in the second set, but momentous plays from CC Crawford and Devyn Robinson pushed UW ahead 25-22 late. The Badgers would cruise to an 11-tally triumph in the third set through a balanced offensive attack.

Middle blocker Carter Booth recorded 12 kills, all-world outside hitter Sarah Franklin chipped in with 10 kills and Shadd-Ceres followed with nine kills in her collegiate debut.

“It feels good to be back with the girls,” Franklin told UWBadgers.com. “Everyday in practice we are getting closer and closer and I think getting to play against another team really just puts into perspective the amount of work we are able to put in and it just feels great being back.”

Wisconsin will begin its regular season against No. 6 University of Louisville  at KFC Yum! Center on Aug. 27.

With team captains Franklin, Robinson and Julia Orzol at the helm, Wisconsin will look to capture its fifth AIAW/NCAA Tournament semifinal in six years after losing to Texas in the Final Four last spring.

The Badgers recently landed at No. 3 spot in the 2024 Preseason American Volleyball Coaches Association top 25 rankings and enter this slate as one of the most viable contenders across the collegiate landscape.

Wisconsin will face Texas in an effort to avenge its semifinal defeat on Sept. 1 in Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum.

Wisconsin volleyball announces 2024 team captains

Wisconsin volleyball announces 2024 team captains

Wisconsin volleyball program announced its 2024 team captains on Monday.

Fifth-year middle blocker Devyn Robinson, fifth-year outside hitter Sarah Franklin and senior outside hitter Julia Orzol will serve as UW’s leaders ahead of its 2024 campaign.

Robinson, who notched her 1000th career kill a season ago, appeared in 31 matches and 110 sets for UW in 2023. The Ankeny, Iowa native also ranked third on the team with 2.43 kills per set and managed 0.92 blocks and 0.39 digs per set. The output earned her a spot on the 2023 NCAA Regional All-Tournament Team and Second-Team All-Big Ten team.

Franklin, the 2023 AVCA National Player of the Year, Northeast Region Player of the Year and Big Ten Player of the Year, enters her fifth year of eligibility after two seasons with both the Badgers and Michigan State Spartans.

The 6-foot-4 superstar captained UW with 4.15 kills per set (No. 5 in the Big Ten), posted double-figure kills in 28 matches and was responsible for 0.53 blocks and 0.18 service aces per set. The spectacular season showing even landed her an ESPY nomination for the Best Women’s Collegiate Athlete category.

Orzol, the 2021 Big Ten Freshman of the Year and 2023 NCAA Regional All-Tournament selection, will aim to replicate her stellar 2023 season. She led the team with 3.46 digs per set and accounted for a team-best 0.31 service aces per set.

The Badgers recently landed at No. 3 spot in the 2024 Preseason American Volleyball Coaches Association top 25 rankings this week after a 30-4 mark last year. All three athletes represented Wisconsin during its NCAA Final Four run last year, and they enter this fall with realistic championship aspirations.

Wisconsin volleyball lands near top of 2024 AVCA preseason top 25

Wisconsin volleyball lands near top of 2024 AVCA preseason top 25

The Wisconsin Badgers’ volleyball program earned the No. 3 spot in the 2024 Preseason American Volleyball Coaches Association top 25 rankings on Monday.

Two-time defending national champion Texas pocketed the No. 1 ranking while 2023 runner-up Nebraska followed at No. 2. Pittsburgh (No. 4), Stanford (No. 5), Louisville (No. 6), Penn State (No. 7), Purdue (No. 8), Kentucky (No. 9) and Oregon (No. 10) rounded out the top 10.

Captained by head coach Kelly Sheffield, the conductor of nine NCAA Elite Eight squads during his 11-year tenure, the Badgers enter this season after going 30-4 during their 2023 campaign.

With AVCA National Player of the Year, AVCA First-Team All-American and Big Ten Player of the Year Sarah Franklin at outside hitter, the 2023 Badgers rattled off 18 consecutive wins to open their season before dropping a match to No. 2 Nebraska.

Wisconsin amassed a remarkable 17-0 record at home and 10-3 mark on the road before the 2023 NCAA Tournament. As one of its No. 1 seeds, UW advanced all the way to the Final Four before losing to eventual-champion Texas 3-1.

Nonetheless, Wisconsin enters this season as one of the most lethal contenders in the entire country. Alongside Franklin, part of that equation is the return of first-team All-Big Ten Carter Booth (middle blocker) and Anna Smrek (middle blocker and outside hitter). Fifth year middle blocker and 2022 AVCA Third-Team All-American Devyn Robinson will also make her return to Wisconsin.

Given the consistency with its nucleus, the Badgers know what it takes to win on a national scale. The crew begins its journey for another title with its opener against Bradley at home on Aug. 20.

LOOK: Wisconsin volleyball legends pictured with rapper Snoop Dogg

LOOK: Wisconsin volleyball legends pictured with Snoop Dogg

You never know who you’ll run into at the Summer Olympics.

On Wednesday, former Wisconsin volleyball stars Lauren Carlini and Dana Rettke were pictured alongside legendary rapper Snoop Dogg ahead of the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

As a contributor to NBC’s coverage of the event, Snoop made his rounds to several Olympic squads today — including the 2024 USA Women’s Volleyball Team. The famous rapper appears to have bumped into Rettke and Carlini’s group either before or after a practice.

Carlini and Rettke will represent the Badgers and the USA when the Olympic games begin later this week. The contest will serve as the first Olympic experience for both former Badgers.

Carlini will play setter for the 2024 team while Rettke will play middle blocker during the USA’s quest for a gold medal.

Carlini was previously an AVCA First-Team All-American and All-Big Ten Team member in four consecutive seasons as a Badger. She also took home 2014 Big Ten Player of the Year nods and Big Ten Setter of the Year in both 2014 and 2015.

Rettke, arguably the greatest player in Wisconsin history, was an AVCA First-Team All-American in all four years, and named Big Ten Female Athlete of the Year twice in 2020 and 2022.

She also received 2019 Big Ten Player of the Year, 2017 Big Ten Freshman of the Year and 2019, 2020, and 2021 AVCA Northeast Region Player of the Year nods from 2019-21.

The crew opens Olympic action with China on July 29 at South Paris Arena.

Madison, Wisconsin’s newest professional volleyball team releases 2025 schedule

Madison, Wisconsin’s newest professional volleyball squad releases 2025 schedule

The newly-formed LOVB Madison volleyball team released its 2025 season schedule in a social media post on Thursday.

League One Volleyball is set to launch in November 2024 following the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France. As of July 18, LOVB Madison Volleyball is one of six teams participating in League One action.

LOVB Omaha Volleyball, LOVB Salt Lake Volleyball and LOVB Austin Volleyball, LOVB Atlanta Volleyball and LOVB Houston Volleyball round out that list.

Beginning on Jan. 10, LOVB Madison’s season spans 13 weeks and concludes on April 4.

LOVB Madison is set to host six games in 2025. The group will open its home matches against LOVB Salt Lake and Omaha on Jan. 17 and Jan. 18 in the Wisconsin Field House. All other home games will be played in Madison’s Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

The team will also travel to Texas, Georgia, Utah and Nebraska throughout their 2025 window.

Three former Badgers are members of the 2025 roster, including Danielle Hart, 2014 Big Ten Player of the Year Lauren Carlini and 2022 AVCA Second-Team All-American Temi Thomas-Ailara.

Founded in 2020, LOVB strives to include the nation’s most talented athletes and focuses on its player development from junior volleyball clubs to the pros.

Former Wisconsin All-Big Ten volleyball standout set to join professional squad in Madison

Former Wisconsin All-Big Ten volleyball standout set to join professional squad in Madison

Former Wisconsin volleyball middle blocker Danielle Hart will play professional volleyball for LOVB Madison.

Hart becomes the third former Badger star to join League One Volleyball alongside 2014 Big Ten Player of the Year Lauren Carlini and 2022 AVCA Second-Team All-American Temi Thomas-Ailara.

Other Big Ten names involved include former Buckeye Claire Chaussee, former Ohio State Offensive Player of the Year Taylor Sandbothe and former Minnesota outside hitter Daly Santana.

During her five seasons of action during her collegiate tenure, Hart was named a 2019 VolleyballMag.com Honorable Mention All-American and a two-time Second-Team All-Big Ten team selection.

Most notably, the Virginia Beach, Virginia native was a member of the 2021 Wisconsin team responsible for clinching a title over the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Outside Madison, Hart has professional experience in Athletes Unlimited and has been featured as a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team in the Pro Volleyball Federation.

Founded by the aforementioned Carlini, an AVCA First-Team All-American during her four seasons in Madison, the league focuses on its player development from junior volleyball clubs to the pros.

Former Big Ten, Wisconsin volleyball star to play professionally in Madison

Former Big Ten, Wisconsin volleyball star to play professionally in Madison

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.

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.

Former Wisconsin volleyball legend set to play professionally in Indianapolis

Former Wisconsin volleyball legend set to play professionally in Indianapolis

Former Wisconsin volleyball standout Sydney Hilley will play professional volleyball for Indy Ignite Pro in 2025.

A few days before former Northwestern and Wisconsin volleyball outside hitter Temi Thomas-Ailara joined LOVB Madison’s squad, Hilley committed to join Indianapolis, Indiana’s latest professional squad.

The Ignite will kick-start its inaugural season in January 2025 as a member of the Pro Volleyball Federation. Hilley joins several Big Ten alumni, including former Buckeye Kylie Murr and former Wolverine Carly Skjodt, to join the 10-woman team next year.

In five years at Wisconsin, Hilley personified consistency as a setter. The Brooklyn Park, Minnesota native was a five-time consecutive AVCA All-American, three-time Big Ten Setter of the Year and four-time First Team All-Big Ten honoree from 2017-21.

Hilley ranks No. 4 in program history in assists (4,680), No. 5 in assists per set (11.76) and No. 5 in career double-doubles (37). She started 114 of 115 matches during her illustrious tenure career and played in 114 of 117 sets, per UW athletics.

During UW’s 2021 title-winning season, Hilley led the Badgers and Big Ten in assists with 11.95 per set. She started all 34 matches and 116 sets in 2019, the season in which Wisconsin appeared in the NCAA title game vs. Stanford.

Hilley’s latest feat arrived when she was named MVP of the Pro Volleyball Federation Playoffs for the Omaha Supernovas. She will now look to build off an already remarkable volleyball career with Indy down the line.

NEWS: Wisconsin volleyball superstar receives diagnosis on injured ankle

Wisconsin volleyball superstar receives diagnosis on injured ankle

Wisconsin volleyball superstar Sarah Franklin suffered a sprained ankle during USA Volleyball’s gold medal match of the NORCECA Pan Am Cup on Sunday.

After recording nine kills through three sets in the United States’ gold medal contest, Franklin landed awkwardly on her left ankle during a block attempt. Despite the setback, she finished the tournament with 33 kills, four blocks, and two aces.

Franklin’s timetable for recovery and return to action is undetermined, according to Wisconsin State Journal volleyball reporter Dennis Punzel. Updates to her injury are worth monitoring as the Badgers are set to open their season in less than two months with a home match against Bradley on Aug. 20.

Wisconsin’s outside hitter collected several pieces of hardware following her spectacular 2023 season, including Big Ten Player of the Year, the AVCA Northeast Region Player of the Year and the AVCA National Player of the Year honors.

The Lake Worth, Florida native joined former Badger legend and Olympic-bound Dana Rettke as the second player in program history to pocket AVCA National Player of the Year nods. The output even earned her a nomination for the Best Women’s Collegiate Athlete category at the 2024 ESPYS.

As a team, Wisconsin fell to eventual-champion Texas in its 2023 NCAA Tournament National Semifinal clash. Wisconsin will look to return to its sixth semifinal in seven seasons and capture its first NCAA title since 2021.

Wisconsin has significant early-season matches against Louisville on Aug. 27 at the KFC Yum! Center before a rematch with the Texas Longhorns at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in early September.

Former Wisconsin volleyball assistant coach joins Columbia staff

Former Wisconsin volleyball assistant coach joins Columbia staff

Former Wisconsin volleyball assistant Angel Agu joined Columbia University as its newest assistant coach on June 28.

Agu, a former four-year volleyball player at the University of Dayton, served as a volunteer assistant coach in Madison from 2018-19. In her two years on the Badgers’ sidelines, Wisconsin pocketed eight AVCA All-America awards and amassed a 52-14 mark — including 19 wins over nationally-ranked squads and a staggering 33-7 record in Big Ten play

UW also appeared in the 2019 NCAA Division I National Championship match a year after its Elite 8 output in 2018 with Agu on the bench.

Prior to her experience at Wisconsin, Agu was an Atlantic 10 graduate assistant coach at La Salle University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

As a player, the 6-2 middle blocker won four Atlantic 10 championships at Dayton in 83 matches over her career. The first generation U.S. citizen was named team captain during her last two seasons in Ohio and helped the Flyers reach the NCAA tournament in every season during her collegiate tenure. She also played two seasons under current Wisconsin head coach Kelly Sheffield.