Wisconsin Badger Women’s Volleyball team will take the court for another season in a little over a month. It’s time to preview the roster additions and schedule for the upcoming season. A majority of the team from last seasons Elite 8 run returns, with some notable additions. These new additions fit well alongside the dominant hitters on last years team. The Badger women have many schedule challenges coming their way this season, especially during conference play. Just like recent years, many conference schools start the year on the DI Women’s Volleyball Rankings.
Roster Additions
The hard hitting offensive core for the Badger Women’s Volleyball team returns from a season ago. Those players include Devyn Robinson, Sarah Franklin, Anna Smrek and Julia Orzol. The Badger’s had two big time conference opponents transfer into the program.
Carter Booth – Sophomore
Carter Booth stands 6-foot-7 and plays middle blocker. Booth is transferring from neighboring foe, Minnesota. With the departure of middle blocker Danielle Hart due to graduation, Booth looks to fill her shoes immediately. As a freshman, Booth earned First-Team All Big Ten and All Big Ten Freshman honors. With multiple years of eligibility remaining, this was a huge win for the Badger women’s volleyball team via the transfer portal.
Temi Thomas-Ailara
Temi Thomas-Ailara will be a grad transfer coming to Wisconsin from Northwestern University. Thomas-Ailara is a 6-foot-2 outside hitter who brings an impressive resume to the Badger Women’s Volleyball team. She earned All-Big Ten First-Team honors the last three seasons. Additionally, Thomas-Ailara was voted to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Second Team All-American in 2022. Although Temi will only be around for one season, her experience and abilities were another huge win via the transfer portal.
Badger Women’s Volleyball Schedule
The Badger Women’s Volleyball team doesn’t shy from a difficult schedule. Coach Kelly Sheffield will have his team prepared for each challenge that comes their way. The schedule consists of 31 total matches. Of those 31 matches, 13 of them come against opponents who are ranked in the top 25 to start the season.
Wisconsin’s non-conference ranked opponents are: Baylor (15), Marquette (13), Florida (12) and Arkansas (25) whom they have to play twice. The Arkansas series will be difficult because those matches are held on back to back days. The exciting non-conference matchup comes with instate rival, Marquette. It was announced last year that these two teams will play at Fiserv Forum. There is no better venue in Wisconsin that will allow the maximum number of people to attend the match other than Fiserv Forum. This contest could break the regular season attendance record that was previously held by the Wisconsin vs. Florida matchup from last season.
When it comes to the Big Ten conference, once again, the Big Ten holds five of the top 15 spots. Wisconsin comes in at the highest ranked Big Ten team at number five overall. Behind them is Ohio State (8), Nebraska (9), Minnesota (10), Penn State (11) and Purdue (20). During conference play, the Badger Women’s Volleyball team must also play Ohio State, Nebraska and Purdue twice this season. You’d be hard press to find any other teams around the country who will play the amount of ranked opponents as this years Badger team.
Ncaa Volleyball Ohio State Vs Wisconsin Volleyball
For More Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @wifecallsmecarl and follow @WiSportsHeroics as well for more great Wisconsin sports content! To keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin Sports, click here! Also, check out our merch store for some amazing WSH merchandise!
