Wisconsin volleyball went to their seventh Final Four in program history during their 2025 season, taking No. 1 Kentucky (second overall) to the final set and ultimately losing 13-15 to end their playoff run.
On their route to the semi-finals, the Badgers upset No. 2 Stanford in the Sweet Sixteen and No. 1 Texas in the Elite Eight.
This remarkable postseason push set a high standard for Wisconsin — a standard proving difficult to meet — as the Badgers have only won four out of their first eight games with Big-10 Conference play on the horizon.
However, Wisconsin has undergone many changes since the previous season, and despite the rocky start, there is much promise for the upcoming weeks and for postseason play.
Strength of schedule
On Sunday, No. 6 Wisconsin lost to No. 9 Texas, starting off strong with a win in the first set before losing three straight and falling to a 4-4 record.
Last year, the Badgers only lost five total games in the regular season (28-5), and they have almost matched that number by going .500 through their first eight games.
In comparison to their 7-1 run to open the 2025 season, the 2026 Badgers have had a disappointing start — yet the subpar record does not tell the full story.
Out of their last eight opponents, seven of them have been ranked in the top 25, and five of them have been ranked in the top 10 — making their non-conference schedule unusually difficult.
In comparison, the Badgers started off the 2025 season playing four ranked teams in their first eight matches with only one of them, Texas, being in the top 10. This shows a big difference in the level of competition the two teams faced.
Both teams fared similarly against ranked teams in 2025 and 2026, beating three and only losing to opponents ranked in the top 10. Strength of schedule matters, despite 7-1 looking prettier than 4-4, the 2026 Badgers are very likely better prepared for conference play.
With eight total Big 10 teams ranked in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) top 25 as of Sept. 13 — three being in the top 10 — the tough non-conference play should pay off for Wisconsin.
Key roster losses
While the change in the level of early season competition for the Badgers plays a factor in the unsatisfactory start to the season, the loss of key players also creates a big challenge. With the graduations of Carter Booth, 2025 First Team All-Big Ten and AVCA Third Team All-American, and Mimi Colyer, 2025 AVCA Division 1 Player of the Year Finalist and First Team All-Big Ten, the Badgers lost key pieces of their team and large factors in their playoff success.
In total, the Badgers lost 10 players this offseason, making the 2026 team look a lot different from the team that made it to the Final Four last year.
Wisconsin also has some important players returning from the 2025 roster, such as junior Charlie Fuerbringer, who made the 2025 All-Big Ten First Team, as well as seniors Grace Lopez and Eva Travis, who have been key contributors in opening matches.
With the addition of 11 new players to the roster, nine of them being freshmen, the veteran leadership will be vital in creating team chemistry and finding success during the postseason .
Lineup Rotations
With the sheer amount of new players added on to the roster, Head Coach Kelly Sheffield has the difficult task of managing rotations and figuring out consistent lineups.
Talented freshmen like Audrey Flanagan, Anna Bardaro, Lynney Tarnow and Isabelle Hoppe are all challenging for minutes.
With the addition of freshman Decelise Champion, who had eight blocks and eight kills in her debut against No. 19 Texas A&M, and 2025 AVCA Third Team All-American Jaela Auguste into the mix, increasing pressure has grown for Sheffield to set a rotation.
“It’s not a goal of mine right now to lock in a lineup,” Sheffield said on ESPN Madison before going to Texas, saying “the lineup will get locked in when it gets locked in.”
Much of the speculation surrounding the lack of success for the Badgers, especially after their match versus Texas, has had to do with the inconsistency in the starting lineup and rotations — a concern that Sheffield debunks. While he wants to win games now, Sheffield is ultimately working towards winning a NCAA Championship.
“What is more important than everything is us playing our best volleyball at the end of the season,” Sheffield said.
Upcoming games
The Badgers are set to play at home against Marquette on Sept. 17 and UW Milwaukee on Sept. 18, competing with two unranked opponents that provide an opportunity to test different lineups.
Wisconsin is likely to find success during these matches, and the momentum of the weekend will hopefully carry into the beginning of Big Ten play on Sept. 24 against No. 23 Oregon at home.
With the differences in strength of schedule, the roster changes and the lack of team stability in general, the Badgers have gotten off to a shakier start in comparison to previous years.
However, this team is filled with talent. Under Sheffield’s coaching, the Badgers have the potential to yet again make another deep run in the postseason.
