Inside Lauren Carlini's new role, impact as Wisconsin volleyball assistant
The former Wisconsin volleyball legend discusses her new assistant position, the influence of Kelly Sheffield, and her early impact on one Badgers setter.
Sophomore setter Charlie Fuerbringer already has benefitted from Lauren Carlini’s on-court guidance. But it’s what she’s picking up off the court from the University of Wisconsin volleyball legend that stands out the most.
Carlini holds an exhaustive resume of accomplishments both collegiately and professionally, and she’s translating her experiences to an assistant position with her alma mater after serving as an offensive analyst and strategy consultant last season. Her feedback to Fuerbringer, a third-team All-America selection by the American Volleyball Coaches Association last season, includes the small, technical details of the game.
But Fuerbringer thinks Carlini’s taught her more about accountability, discipline and leadership, and the new assistant’s work ethic shined during one particular drill.
“She is freaking awesome, so powerful, and I'm just super blessed and excited to be able to work with one of the best setters in the whole world,” Fuerbringer said. “I remember the other day I was setting on a yoga ball, and she was tossing for me. And because I was on a yoga ball that’s stationary, the tosses had to be perfect, and they weren't perfect. And I kind of had mentioned it, we were just kind of joking around.
“But the very next day, I come to practice 30 minutes early, and I just see her practicing that toss. She's just getting her tossing reps. So that was pretty cool to see, and that just goes to show the kind of person she is.”