The Wisconsin Badgers 2024 volleyball season fell short of a National Championship, but the senior class was responsible for five regional finals, three final four appearances, and one championship. With the departures of six seniors and two defensive players entering the transfer portal, who may be stepping in as a freshmen next year?
Who are the six senior Wisconsin Badgers volleyball players leaving?
Leaving the Badgers volleyball program is Sarah Franklin, Devyn Robinson, Anna Smrek, CC Crawford, Julie Orzol, and Carly Anderson. Of this group, Franklin, Crawford, and Robinson were fifth year seniors, Anderson a graduate student, and Smrek + Orzol true seniors.
Two defensive players entered the transfer portal
Following the conclusion of the 2024 season, junior Gulce Guctekin and redshirt freshman Saige Damrow entered the transfer portal. Guctekin played a significant role on the 2021 championship team and has split time as both a libero and defensive specialist throughout her Badgers tenure. Damrow initially started the 2024 season off as a reserve player, but temporarily took over the libero duties late in the season when Lola Schumacher missed time due to injury.
Previewing the Wisconsin Badgers 2025 freshman volleyball class
Five freshmen will be joining UW-Madison for the 2025 season and looking to make an impact. 6’3″ Addy Horner is a setter/right side hitting recruit out of Illinois, Aniya Warren is the top ranked libero out of Illinois, 6’3″ Madison Quest is an outside hitter who is the top ranked player in Wisconsin and 17th overall Nationally, Natalie Wardlow is a 6’4″ middle blocker from Nebraska, and Kristen Simon is a libero/defensive specialist recruit out of Louisville.
Along with this freshman class, the Badgers have also landed outside hitter Grace Egan from Ohio State and right side hitter Grace Lopez from Miami via the transfer portal. All-in-all the Badgers seem to have a lot more good talent coming into their volleyball program for the 2025 season.
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