The Wisconsin Badgers women’s volleyball team has become a powerhouse in college volleyball, consistently ranked among the best programs in the nation. With a rich history, standout players, and unforgettable moments, they have earned their place as a team to watch in the NCAA.
Learn more about the history of the program, some of the best players, significant milestones, recent rankings, and what fans can expect in the 2024 season.
History of the Wisconsin Women’s Volleyball Program
The Wisconsin Badgers women's volleyball program began in 1974, soon after the formation of the Big Ten Conference’s women's sports division. In its early years, the program was relatively unknown, but as the popularity of collegiate women’s volleyball grew in the U.S., so did the team’s reputation. It didn’t have skyrocketing success like some other universities (Nebraska, for example), but the team has worked hard to become the success it is today.
By the late 1980s, Wisconsin womens volleyball had established itself as a competitive force in the Big Ten with leadership from coaches Niels Pedersen and Russ Carney.
The program reached a turning point in 1990, under coach Steve Lowe when they made their first NCAA Tournament appearance. This set the stage for greater achievements in the rest of the 90s and the 2000s. Under the leadership of head coaches like John Cook and Pete Waite, the Badgers continued to improve. The Badgers made it to the NCAA semifinals for the first time in 2000.
In 2012, Kelly Sheffield took over as head coach, bringing a new era of success. Under his guidance, the Badgers have become a regular contender for national titles. Sheffield's coaching style fosters a strong team culture and player development. Combined with the recruitment of top high school talent, Wisconsin is now one of the top destinations for aspiring volleyball players. The 2021 season marked the pinnacle of the program's success, with the Badgers earning their first-ever NCAA Championship after defeating Nebraska in an epic five-set match. The victory put Wisconsin in the national spotlight and cemented its status as a modern volleyball authority.
Best Wisconsin Volleyball Team Players Through the Years
While the Wisconsin volleyball team hasn’t always had a fierce reputation, it has had quite a few players who have earned recognition on a large scale, especially in the past few years. Here are some of the players who have helped the team find success and gain more renown.
Sherisa Livingston: Opposite, 1998-2001
Sherisa Livingston is one of the greatest players in UW volleyball history. She was named a three-time member of the First-team All-Big Ten and two-time All-American, the first All-American to be named at UW (2000). That same year, she also helped lead the team to victory in the conference. Livingston was inducted into the University of Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007.
Since then, she had played extensively in international professional leagues and got into the world of volleyball coaching in 2013.
Lauren Carlini: Setter, 2013-2016
One of the most decorated players in program history, Carlini was a four-time first team All-American setter and earned the Big Ten Player of the Year award in 2014
Her expert skills and teamwork on the court helped propel the team to success, winning the Big Ten conference in 2014. After graduation, she has gone on to play internationally for Italy, Russia, and Türkiye.
In 2016 she was selected for the U.S. national team and even won silver in the 2024 Olympics.
Dana Rettke: Middle blocker, 2017-2021
Standing at 6'8", Rettke became a dominant middle blocker for the UW Badgers volleyball team and one of the most feared players in the nation. She is the first and only player ever to be a five-time All-American pick. Rettke is also a three-time Big Ten Player of the Year.
In addition to seeing three Big Ten conference wins with the team, she was also part of the first NCAA volleyball championship win for Wisconsin!
Since graduating, she has played for Italy and Türkiye as well as the U.S. national team (starting in 2019). She won a silver medal in the 2024 Olympics.
Sydney Hilley: Setter, 2017-2021
A four-time All-American team member, Hilley’s leadership was a huge factor in Wisconsin's success, including multiple Big Ten titles and NCAA Tournament appearances. Her crowning achievement came in 2021 when she helped lead the Badgers to their first-ever NCAA Championship by setting up crucial plays in their dramatic five-set victory over Nebraska.
Sarah Franklin: Outside Hitter, 2022-2024
This recent graduate transferred to UW from Michigan State after two years there. After beginning her strong volleyball career in Michigan, she continued to succeed as a member of the Badgers. In 2023, she was named both AVCA National Player of the Year and AVCA First-Team All-American. Her consistent contributions to the team and powerful hits made her a valuable teammate.
Biggest Moments in Wisconsin Badgers Volleyball
The Wisconsin women's college volleyball program has had its fair share of unforgettable moments, especially in more recent years as a sort-of-newly-emerging big contender. Here are a few that stand out in the history of the team:
1990 First NCAA Tournament Appearance & Big Ten Conference Title
The Badgers made their debut in the NCAA Tournament in 1990, after securing their first Big Ten conference title. Although they didn’t go far that year (they were eliminated in the regional semifinals), it was a foundational moment for the program, laying the groundwork for future success.
2000 National Championship Runner-Up Finish
In 2000, the Badgers reached the NCAA Championship match for the first time. They faced off against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in a hard-fought battle but ultimately fell short. Despite the loss, the season was a turning point, proving that Wisconsin could compete with the best in the nation.
2021 National Championship Victory
The pinnacle of the program’s history came in 2021 when the Badgers captured their first-ever NCAA Championship. In a thrilling five-set match against their previous defeaters, Nebraska, Wisconsin battled through every point with Dana Rettke and Anna Smrek delivering clutch performances. The victory was the culmination of years of hard work and caused celebrations in Madison and across Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Badgers Women’s Volleyball Ranking
The Wisconsin Badgers women’s volleyball team has consistently been ranked among the top programs in NCAA womens volleyball in the nation over the past decade. This is especially impressive because the program started with mid-tier results, so it’s clear that the players and coaches have worked hard over the years to elevate their skills and reputation.
Now, they are a regular presence in the AVCA Coaches Poll, frequently landing in the top 10 and often in the top 5. Their success is due to a combination of factors, including strong coaching practices, elite recruiting, and a fierce competitive spirit.
In 2023, the Badgers were once again among the top-ranked teams throughout the season. They had a strong showing in the Big Ten Conference, finishing near the top of the standings and earning a high seed in the NCAA Tournament. Although they did not win another conference or national title last year, their success in competing for high places in both tournaments shows their skills.
Looking ahead to the 2024 season, the Badgers are expected to remain a force to be reckoned with. With returning talent like Devyn Robinson, Carly Anderson, and CC Crawford, plus some promising new recruits, Wisconsin will aim to reclaim the Big Ten title and make another run in the NCAA Tournament.
Women’s Volleyball Schedule 2024
The 2024 season promises to be an exciting one for Wisconsin Badger volleyball and their fans. The team will face a challenging slate of opponents, both in the non-conference portion of the season and in the highly competitive Big Ten Conference.
The Wisconsin volleyball schedule started on August 20th, and the last game will be on November 30th. After this, the conference matches will determine who is the winner and who will continue on to the NCAA women’s volleyball tournament.
The regular season typically begins with a series of non-conference matches, where the Badgers face some of the best teams from other conferences. These early games provide an opportunity for the team to gel and test themselves against strong competition. Expect to see the Badgers face teams like Texas, Florida, and Stanford, all of which have strong volleyball traditions.
You can find out if there is Wisconsin volleyball game today as well as when all the other games are being held and where to watch them when you visit the Wisconsin women’s volleyball website.
The University of Wisconsin Badgers are expecting to have a great season with a strong team, hopefully winning another conference title.
Fans of collegiate women’s volleyball should keep their eyes out for the girls volleyball team this year! Their past few years have been quite fiery, so they’re bound to make some great plays and wins this season.
If you’re interested in learning more about how to play volleyball and improve your skills (perhaps to attend college with an athletic scholarship in the future) you can find an excellent private coach to help you improve when you search on Superprof!
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