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Wisconsin Badgers women's volleyball

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Wisconsin Badgers Women's Volleyball
UniversityUniversity of Wisconsin–Madison
Head coachKelly Sheffield (11th season)
ConferenceBig Ten
LocationMadison, Wisconsin
Home arenaUW Field House (capacity: 7,540)
NicknameBadgers
ColorsCardinal and white[1]
   
AIAW/NCAA Tournament champion
2021
AIAW/NCAA Tournament runner-up
2000, 2013, 2019
AIAW/NCAA Tournament semifinal
2000, 2013, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023
AIAW/NCAA Regional Final
1997, 1998, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
AIAW/NCAA regional semifinal
1990, 1991, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
AIAW/NCAA Tournament appearance
1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Conference regular season champion
Big Ten Conference
1990, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2014, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022

The Wisconsin Badgers women's volleyball is the volleyball team representing the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the NCAA Division I women's program. The university has a rich volleyball tradition, with origins dating back to 1974. They won a national title in 2021. They have had eleven head coaches since the team's inception.[2] In the 2021 season, they ranked second in attendance among all Division 1 volleyball programs, averaging 7,540 fans over 15 regular season matches.

Elite Eight appearances

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The Badgers have reached the Elite Eight in the NCAA Division I women's volleyball tournament 14 times.

1997

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Under coach John Cook, the Badgers achieved a 30–3 overall record, which was the best record since the team's inception (until they reached 31–3 in 2021), the team had a bye to the second round, where they beat Central Florida 3–0, and in the Sweet Sixteen, the team beat Notre Dame 3–1. The team lost to Florida 3–2 in the Elite Eight.

1998

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The Badgers' overall record was 30–5, and reached the Elite Eight. The Badgers beat Arkansas-Little Rock 3–0 in the first round, San Diego 3–0 in the second round, and UCSB 3–2 in the Sweet Sixteen. The team lost to Nebraska 3–2 in the Elite Eight.

2000

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The Badgers, under head coach Pete Waite, reached the NCAA national final, finishing with an overall record of 33–4. The 7-seed Badgers defeated Bucknell 3–0 in the first round, Northern Iowa 3–1 in the second round, Kansas State 3–1 in the Sweet Sixteen, 15-seed UCLA 3–1 in the Elite Eight, and 3-seed USC 3–0 in the Final Four. The team fell just short of a national championship, falling to 1-seed Nebraska 3–2. The Nebraska side was coached by former Badgers head coach John Cook. Both Lizzy Fitzgerald and Sherisa Livingston made the Final Four All-Tournament team.

2004

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Following 2 consecutive second-round losses, the team found themselves in the Elite Eight again, finishing with an overall record of 22–10. The 14-seed Badgers defeated Loyola 3–0 in the first round, Notre Dame 3–0 in the second round, and 3-seed Hawaii 3–2 in the Sweet Sixteen, before being shut out by Stanford in the Elite Eight.

2005

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The following year, the team made the Elite Eight again, finishing with an overall record of 26–7. The 11-seed Badgers defeated Loyola 3–0 in the first round, California 3–0 in the second round, and 6-seed Notre Dame 3–2 in the Sweet Sixteen, before being knocked out by 3-seed and eventual champion Washington 3–0 in the Elite Eight.

2013

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Following a disappointing period (2008–2012) under Waite, head coach Kelly Sheffield, the former head coach of Albany and Dayton, was hired. In Sheffield's first season, the Badgers went 28–10. The 12-seed Badgers defeated Milwaukee 3–0 in the first round, California 3–0 in the second round, Florida State 3–1 in the Sweet Sixteen, and Purdue 3–1 in the Elite Eight. The team then became the lowest-seeded team to advance to the championship match, upsetting 1-seed Texas 3–1 in the Final Four.[3] The "Cinderella" story, however, came to an end after being defeated by 2-seed Penn State in the championship. Deme Morales and Lauren Carlini made the Final Four All-Tournament team.

2014

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Panorama of the Wisconsin Field House during the NCAA Tournament game against Illinois State

The following year, the team went 31–3, the best record the team had ever achieved up to this point. Entering the NCAA Tournament, the Badgers were seeded fourth. The Badgers defeated Western Michigan 3–0 in the first round, Illinois State 3–0 in the second round, and Ohio State 3–2 in the Sweet Sixteen. The Badgers were beaten, however, by 5-seed Penn State in the Elite Eight. Penn State would go on to win the tournament.

2016

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The team went 28–5, earning themselves a 3-seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Badgers defeated Howard 3–0 in the first round, Washington State 3–0 in the second round, and Ohio State 3–2 in the Sweet Sixteen. The team lost to 6-seed Stanford, the eventual winners, with a score of 3–2.

2018

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Following a Sweet 16 appearance in 2017, the Badgers reached the Elite Eight once again in 2018. Following an overall record of 25–7, the 6-seed Badgers beat Green Bay 3–0 in the first round, Pepperdine 3–1 in the second round, and San Diego 3–0 in the Sweet Sixteen. The team lost to 3-seed Illinois 3–1 in the Elite Eight.

2019

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The 2019 Badgers finished the season 27–7, and earned the fourth overall seed in the NCAA tournament. Wisconsin swept Illinois State, UCLA, 13th seeded Texas A&M, and fifth seeded Nebraska to reach the Final-4. The Badgers defeated top seeded Baylor 3–1 in its third Final-4 appearance. In the NCAA Championship, Wisconsin fell to third seeded Stanford 3–0.

2020

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In a season shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic and played in Spring 2021, the Badgers finished the season 18–1, and earned the #1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament. Wisconsin swept Weber State, & 16th seeded BYU, before defeating eighth seeded Florida 3–2 in the Elite Eight. In their fourth NCAA Final-4 appearance, Wisconsin fell to fourth seeded Texas 3–0.

2021

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The Badgers finished 31–3 on the season. Ranked #1 in the Big Ten conference, the Badgers carried a #4 ranking into the tournament.

The Badgers swept their way to the Final Four, defeating Colgate, Florida Gulf Coast, #13 UCLA, and #12 Minnesota.

Semifinal Round: The Badgers were able to take down the previously unbeaten #1 seed Louisville in the semi-final round of the tournament in a 5 set match.

Championship Round: The Badgers pulled off the championship victory in a five-set thriller over #10 Nebraska. As a team, the Badgers posted 24 blocks, the most in a national championship. Rettke notched 11 kills and 13 blocks, while freshman Anna Smrek led offensively with 14 kills on .429 hitting, Jade Demps had 12 kills on .396 hitting, and Grace Loberg finished off her career with 10 kills. Sydney Hilley dished out 51 assists. Referencing: Michella Chester, NCAA reporting 12/18/2021

2022

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The Badgers finished the season 28–4, and earned the 3rd overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Badgers swept Quinnipiac, and TCU to advance to the Regionals for the 10th consecutive year. The Badgers defeated (4) Penn State 3–2 in the Sweet Sixteen, before falling to (2) Pitt 3–2 in the Elite Eight.

2023

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Wisconsin finished the season 30–4, and earned the 3rd overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Badgers swept Jackson State, and Miami(FL) to advance to the Regionals for the 11th consecutive year. The Badgers defeated (5) Penn State 3–1 in the Sweet Sixteen, and (2) Oregon 3–1 in the Elite 8. The Badgers advanced to its 6th Final 4 appearance where it fell to (2) Texas 3–1.

Results by season

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The Wisconsin Field House during a volleyball game on October 4, 2017
Wisconsin in action against Marquette at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee in 2023
Season Results
Year Coach Overall Record Conference Record Conference Standing Postseason
1981[4] Niels Pedersen 5–29 0–4 10th
1982 Russ Carney 11–16 4–9 4th – West Division
1983 Russ Carney 15–17 4–9 4th – West Division
1984 Russ Carney 5–23 1–12 5th – West Division
1985 Russ Carney 7–24 2–16 9th
1986 Steve Lowe 16–18 5–13 8th
1987 Steve Lowe 21–11 9–9 5th
1988 Steve Lowe 16–16 7–11 8th
1989 Steve Lowe 26–11 9–9 5th NIT Champions
1990 Steve Lowe 29–7 16–2 1st NCAA Sweet Sixteen
1991 Margie Fitzpatrick 23–10 15–5 2nd NCAA Sweet Sixteen
1992 John Cook 14–17 9–11 7th
1993 John Cook 19–13 11–9 5th NCAA Second Round
1994 John Cook 21–12 11–9 5th NCAA First Round
1995 John Cook 22–15 9–11 7th NIT Champions
1996 John Cook 25–8 13–7 5th NCAA Sweet Sixteen
1997 John Cook 30–3 19–1 1st NCAA Elite Eight
1998 John Cook 30–5 17–3 2nd NCAA Elite Eight
1999 Pete Waite 21–9 15–5 2nd NCAA Second Round
2000 Pete Waite 33–4 18–2 1st NCAA Runners-up
2001 Pete Waite 27–4 19–1 1st NCAA Sweet Sixteen
2002 Pete Waite 24–9 14–6 2nd NCAA Second Round
2003 Pete Waite 22–11 13–7 4th NCAA Second Round
2004 Pete Waite 22–10 13–7 4th NCAA Elite Eight
2005 Pete Waite 26–7 15–5 2nd NCAA Elite Eight
2006 Pete Waite 26–7 16–4 3rd NCAA Sweet Sixteen
2007 Pete Waite 26–5 17–3 2nd NCAA Second Round
2008 Pete Waite 17–15 7–13 7th
2009 Pete Waite 11–18 6–14 7th
2010 Pete Waite 16–15 5–15 10th
2011 Pete Waite 16–16 8–12 8th
2012 Pete Waite 17–16 5–15 10th
2013 Kelly Sheffield 28–10 12–8 4th NCAA Runners-up
2014 Kelly Sheffield 31–3 19–1 1st NCAA Elite Eight
2015 Kelly Sheffield 26–7 16–4 3rd NCAA Sweet Sixteen
2016 Kelly Sheffield 28–5 17–3 2nd NCAA Elite Eight
2017[5] Kelly Sheffield 22–10 11–9 6th NCAA Sweet Sixteen
2018 Kelly Sheffield 25–7 15–5 3rd NCAA Elite Eight
2019 Kelly Sheffield 27–7 18–2 1st NCAA Runners-up
2020 Kelly Sheffield 18–1 15–0 1st NCAA Final Four
2021 Kelly Sheffield 31–3 17–3 1st NCAA Champions
2022 Kelly Sheffield 28–4 19–1 1st NCAA Elite Eight
2023 Kelly Sheffield 30–4 17–3 2nd NCAA Final Four
Totals 50 Years
11 Coaches
27 Appearances

All-Americans

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In all, Wisconsin has 29 total AVCA All-Americans, including five first team All-Americans.[6] Among these five, Dana Rettke is the nation's only ever five-time first team All-American, largely due to the NCAA's decision not to count the 2020–21 school year, heavily disrupted by COVID-19, against the college eligibility of any women's volleyball player.
* denotes Big Ten Player of the Year
^ denotes AVCA National Player of the Year

First team

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  • Sherisa Livingston* – 2000*, 2001
  • Lauren Carlini* – 2014*, 2015, 2016
  • Dana Rettke*^ – 2017, 2018, 2019*, 2020, 2021^
  • Sydney Hilley – 2019, 2020, 2021
  • Sarah Franklin*^ – 2023*^

Second team

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  • Lisa Boyd* – 1990*
  • Laura Abbinante – 1996
  • Amy Lee – 1997
  • Kelly Kennedy – 1997, 1998
  • Jenny Maastricht – 1999
  • Lizzy Fitzgerald* – 2000, 2001*
  • Erin Byrd – 2002
  • Jackie Simpson – 2006
  • Brittney Dolgner – 2009
  • Lauren Carlini – 2013
  • Taylor Morey – 2014
  • Courtney Thomas – 2014
  • Haleigh Nelson – 2015, 2016
  • Sydney Hilley – 2018
  • Molly Haggerty – 2019
  • Lauren Barnes – 2020, 2021
  • Anna Smrek – 2023

Third team

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  • Morgan Shields – 2001
  • Jill Odenthal – 2004
  • Sheila Shaw – 2005
  • Taylor Reineke – 2007
  • Tionna Williams – 2016
  • Molly Haggerty – 2016
  • Madison Duello – 2018
  • Devyn Robinson – 2020, 2022
  • Danielle Hart – 2022
  • Sarah Franklin – 2022
  • Carter Booth – 2023

Other honors

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Academic All-Americans

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  • Kathy Cogan – 1983
  • Lauren Carlini – 2016
  • Sydney Hilley – 2019, 2020, 2021
  • Julia Orzol – 2023

Olympic Medalists

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  • Lauren Carlini - Paris '24 Silver Medalist (USA)
  • Dana Rettke - Paris '24 Silver Medalist (USA)


  • Most Outstanding Player, NCAA Final Four: Anna Smrek2021
  • Elite 90, NCAA Championships: Julia Orzol – 2023

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "COLORS FOR WEB". brand.wisc.edu. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
  2. ^ "2018 Wisconsin Volleyball Quick Facts" (PDF). uwbadgers.com. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
  3. ^ "Wisconsin shocks No. 1 Texas". Associated Press. ESPN.com. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  4. ^ "Big Ten Volleyball Regular Season Standings" (PDF). grfx.cstv.com. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
  5. ^ "2017 Volleyball Schedule". uwbadgers.com. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
  6. ^ "UW Women's Volleyball All-Americans". uwbadgers.com. Retrieved 2 December 2018.