Wisconsin volleyball fans may be hoping for a better season this year, but it’s going to be challenging with the loss of many skilled players. The team ended the 2024 season with a record of 26-7, just down from their 2023 record of 30-4.
Big name players on the 2024 roster like Anna Smrek (middle-blocker/opposite hitter), Gulce Guctekin (libero) and Sarah Franklin (outside hitter) are hard to replace.
In all, the Wisconsin volleyball roster lost nine players after the 2024 season, but the Badgers welcomed 10 new players, including five transfer players and five new freshmen, at the start of the 2025 season.
The new additions to the team already proved to be great assets in an exhibition game win in four sets against division one competitor Notre Dame. During the three sets they played, two transfer outside hitters, Mimi Colyer and Grace Egan, recorded 12 and 13 kills respectively. All freshmen got gametime and three of the five newcomers played in all four sets.
Other transfer players include Alicia Andrew (middle blocker), Grace Lopez (right side) andJada Cerniglia (libero/defensive specialist).
Five freshmen have joined the team as well including Addy Horner (setter/right side), Aniya Warren (libero/defensive specialist), Kristin Simon (libero/defensive specialist), Madison Quest (outsider hitter) and Natalie Wardlow (middle blocker) who will add further depth to the bench.
Six players are returning to the Wisconsin court this year: Carter Booth (middle-blocker), Charlie Fuerbringer (setter), Maile Chan (libero/defensive specialist), Tosia Serafinowska (middle-blocker), Trinity Shadd-Ceres (outside hitter) and Una Vajagic (outside hitter).
Booth finished the 2024 season with 17 solo blocks, almost half of the team’s total record, and 127 block assists. Fuerbringer accumulated 1,270 assists and 290 digs during her first season with the Badgers.
These two All-American players were announced as this season’s captains on Aug. 21, just a few days after the win against Notre Dame.
The other three returning players either didn’t see much playing time from head coach Kelly Sheffield or redshirted in the 2024-25 season. With the loss of key outside hitters and liberos, these returning players have the chance to gain more time on the court.
Wisconsin was ranked third in the 2025 Big Ten Volleyball Preseason Poll. This is where Wisconsin finished in the 2024-25 season, and, to be more successful, Wisconsin will have to adapt to the skills and talents of the new roster.
It’s also a good time for the Badgers to make staffing changes — fight change with change. Lauren Carlini, a former Badger herself and now a former offensive analyst and strategy consultant, was promoted to a full-time assistant coach position.
Sheffield expressed his excitement for having Carlini more involved in the game.
“Her role last year didn’t allow her to have much interaction with the players on the court,” Sheffield said. “She has so much to offer and it’s great for all of us to have her more involved.”
Wisconsin already kicked off their season with the Open Spike Classic. The Badgers beat No. 14 Kansas in a close five-set game, and lost to No. 5 Texas.
