4 things we learned about Wisconsin volleyball during 2025 Big Ten media days

CHICAGO – When Wisconsin volleyball begins practice on July 31, right-side hitter could be one of the interesting positions to watch.

The Badgers lost Miami transfer and right-side hitter Grace Lopez – a 2024 AVCA All-America honorable mention – to a season-ending knee injury in the spring. That leaves a significant void for one of UW’s younger players to fill.

Madison Quest – an incoming freshman from Pewaukee who enrolled early and was Divine Savior Holy Angels’ all-time kills leader – could be the answer.

“This spring, Madison Quest went over and played the other pin,” Sheffield said at Big Ten volleyball media days. “... We try to have players that are willing to do anything and everything for the team. I thought Julia Orzol was a great example of that that just finished up her career with us, being able to go from outside to libero, back to outside. Madison is certainly one of those types of players that are willing to get outside of her comfort zone for whatever is good for the team.”

Quest is not necessarily the Badgers’ only option at that position, though.

“I think freshman Natalie Wardlow is certainly going to get a look,” Sheffield said. “She played some right side this club season. I could see a player like Grace Egan maybe getting to take a look over there.”

Wardlow is officially listed as a middle blocker on the online roster. Egan, an Ohio State transfer, is a redshirt sophomore and officially listed at outside hitter. The only players listed as right-side hitters on the online roster are the injured Lopez and freshman Addy Horner.

Sheffield explains Wisconsin volleyball’s offseason staff changes

When Annemarie Hickey left Wisconsin earlier this year to coach full-time with League One Volleyball’s Madison team – a move that Sheffield is “really excited” for her to do – Sheffield had an opportunity to rearrange his staff.

Former four-time All-American Lauren Carlini now is a full-time assistant coach after previously serving as an offensive analyst and strategy consultant.

“She's got so much to offer, not only because she's been where they want to go, but she is passionate,” Sheffield said. “She's got a work ethic that there's just so much to tap into, and being able to get her more involved was certainly a goal.”

Meanwhile, Gary White – previously an associate head coach – now holds the title of director of player personnel and analytics.

“I felt like last year there was a lot of things that I was handling that I felt took me away from our players,” Sheffield said. The changing of what is happening in college athletics and being on top of that, with revenue sharing, with NIL. … What if I do this or what if we do this or what if we do this, and a lot of brainstorming. The more that you're spending on things that aren't volleyball or not your people, for me it's a mistake, I feel like.”

Sheffield also added former Purdue assistant John Shondell to the staff as an assistant coach. He most recently was an assistant coach on the Pro Volleyball Federation’s Indy Ignite. Sheffield said he has known Shondell, a fellow native of Muncie, Ind., for more than 40 years.

Purdue head coach Dave Shondell — John’s older brother — was unsurprisingly complimentary of Sheffield’s latest hire at Big Ten media days.

“Anybody that’s ever been coached by John or watched John in a gym understands what an incredible human being he is and what a great coach that he is,” Dave Shondell said.

The one Shondell family reunion on the Badgers’ schedule will be Nov. 19 at the UW Fieldhouse.

“It’ll be fun to watch those two, and luckily we just play them one time this year,” Dave Shondell said.

How ex-Badger Lola Schumacher elevates UCLA

Wisconsin’s starting libero for 23 of last year’s 33 matches is with a different Big Ten team this year.

Lola Schumacher transferred in May from the Badgers to UCLA after an impressive 2024 freshman season. UCLA coach Alfee Reft spoke highly of the “tremendous player” he added in the spring.

“We all know she can pass the ball,” Reft said. “She can defend. She’s shown that at a high level in the Big Ten. She did it at Wisconsin for her team. But I think people don’t see the spirit of what she brings to the opposition as a defender. … Lola elevates us in that position. She’s feisty, she’s competitive, she sees the game really well, she moves really well. I think she’s not only going to bring a great competitive level to our gym, she’s going to make our hitters better.”

Schumacher is not the only libero vying for opportunities with the Bruins this year, however. Incoming freshman Sak Codling is “one of the best liberos in the country,” Reft said in Chicago.

“Yes, we have Lola as a transfer, and we have these other pieces that are just right there that are going to battle and compete,” Reft said. “I think it’s anybody’s game honestly.”

Mimi Colyer, now with Badgers, remembered fondly at Oregon

Mimi Colyer arrived at Wisconsin with quite the resume from her three seasons at Oregon.

Colyer received AVCA second-team All-America recognition in 2024 after being an honorable mention in 2023 and a third-team honoree in 2022. She has amassed 1,461 career kills and has averaged 3.97 kills per set.

She then entered the transfer portal as Oregon went through a head coaching change. Matt Ulmer left for the Kansas job, and Oregon replaced him with Loyola Marymount’s Trent Kersten. (Colyer already committed to Wisconsin by the time that Kersten’s hire became official.)

While Colyer is now competing against the Ducks rather than with them, Kersten spoke glowingly about the team’s former outside hitter.

“Gosh, what a career she's put together,” Kersten said. “So excited for her and her next step. Can't wait to compete with her on the same court. I think they're coming back to Matthew Knight this year. I hope our Duck fans welcome her with just a warm greeting because of what she's accomplished within our program."

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 4 Wisconsin volleyball takeaways during 2025 Big Ten media days