6 thoughts from Wisconsin volleyball's Alumni Match
So much to discuss from a fantastic night for those who love Wisconsin volleyball
MADISON, Wis. — One fourth-set rally became a microcosm for the competition seen this weekend between University of Wisconsin volleyball players past and present.
Wisconsin hosted its Alumni Match on Saturday inside the Field House, pitting its 2026 team against a who’s who of former Badgers that included All-Americans and those who have played at the top professional levels. Each side fought off attacks from the other, the atmosphere becoming more charged with every key dig and each time the ball flew over the net. The fans erupted into a standing ovation after Sarah Franklin drilled a kill to cut the alumni deficit to one point, and they eventually came back to win that fourth set.
Those former Wisconsin players won the four-set match by a 3-1 count, but it wasn’t a cakewalk with a 2026 squad that kept it tight throughout (25-21. 25-23, 21-25, 25-22). The current squad also was without middle blocker Jaela Auguste and freshman outside hitter Halle Thompson, who should be significant contributors this season.
“Sarah said it just now: ‘I can’t wait to watch that video,’” Wisconsin volleyball coach Kelly Sheffield said. “I think it is really, really rare, I would say, to get into a match where both teams are leaving out in the court. Both teams are having a blast. Both teams leave the match having the blast, and everybody walking out to the parking lot in their cars had a blast.
“And there’s not a whole lot of matches that I’ve been a part of that have been that.”
A few other takeaways from Saturday’s match are seen below. Be sure to watch postgame availabilities with a trio of former Wisconsin players and another three current set of Badgers.
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What a performance by freshman Audrey Flanagan
