Wisconsin volleyball fans, hold onto your seats. The Badgers are in full rebuild mode after waving goodbye to Anna Smrek, Gulce Guctekin, and Sarah Franklin. That's a lot of talent out the door. But let's not hit the panic button just yet.
Fresh Faces Making Waves
In comes a new wave of energy. Mimi Colyer and Grace Egan are already turning heads. In their exhibition win against Notre Dame, Colyer and Egan recorded 12 and 13 kills, respectively. Talk about making a statement.
And just like that, the Badgers showed they've got potential. Alicia Andrew, Grace Lopez, and Jada Cerniglia join the ranks, bringing depth and some serious game-changers to the court.
Veterans Lead the Charge
Let's not forget the returning powerhouses. Carter Booth and Charlie Fuerbringer are back and they're not here to play around. Booth racked up 17 solo blocks last season, while Fuerbringer notched up 1,270 assists. These two are the backbone Wisconsin needs.
Coach Kelly Sheffield has high hopes, especially with Lauren Carlini stepping up as a full-time assistant coach. "She has so much to offer," Sheffield said. And you can feel it coming.
The Road Ahead
Ranked third in the 2025 Big Ten Volleyball Preseason Poll, Wisconsin is gearing up for a season of surprises. They kicked things off by beating No. 14 Kansas in five sets. A tight loss to No. 5 Texas shows there's still work to be done.
The talent is there. The energy is undeniable. If Wisconsin can blend their new talent with their seasoned leaders, the Big Ten better watch out.
This isn't just a rebuild. It's a recalibration. And from there… it was over.
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Source: dailycardinal.com
