6 thoughts after Wisconsin volleyball's scrimmage at Marquette
Breaking down the first look of this new Wisconsin team.
MILWAUKEE — The University of Wisconsin volleyball program needs to replace significant production in the middle of the court this fall.
Jaela Auguste provided a glimpse of what could be Monday.
Carter Booth and Alicia Andrew both moved on to the professional game after their stellar senior campaigns that helped Wisconsin reach yet another Final Four under coach Kelly Sheffield. Auguste, an AVCA third-team All-American in 2025, transferred from Florida this offseason and provided a little bit of everything during the Badgers’ four-set victory over Marquette at the Al McGuire Center. She finished tied for second on the team with nine kills but also contributed two service aces and three blocks.
“Jaela, a lot of highlight film swings from her, right?” Wisconsin coach Kelly Sheffield said. “She’s one of the most dynamic attackers, not only in the country, but one of the more dynamic attackers that I’ve coached.
“And there’s play there in the fourth set where Charlie went really, really long string to her on the slide, and she just got on it and just crushed it. Her ability to get on something really fast, even when the setter is 25 feet away from you is really special.”
Wisconsin’s middle blockers played strong Monday. Joining Auguste was rising sophomore Natalie Wardlow, who was one of the team’s key reserves off the bench last season from the service line, started the match hot and finished with five kills, a .571 hitting percentage and two blocks.
Here are more takeaways from the match, and be sure to check out Badger Observer’s postmatch availability with Sheffield.
It’s what was expected from the first Wisconsin match of the spring
The Badgers need to replace significant production for the 2026 season, outside of setter with returning captain Charlie Fuerbringer and libero Kristen Simon. Gone are Booth, Andrew, All-American outside hitter Mimi Colyer and outside hitter Una Vajagic. Wisconsin have signed two transfers, Auguste and outside hitter Eva Travis, and five freshmen who enrolled early in January.
Wisconsin dominated the first set 25-13 but fell in the second 25-18. The Badgers eventually took the final two sets but by closer margins (25-22 and 25-21).
“Like a lot of spring matches, there’s gonna be a lot to kind of grab on to and sink your teeth in,” Sheffield said. “A lot of positive things that every player is going to be able to take, and then quite a bit of things we’re going to be, ‘Alright, let’s work on this next couple weeks before the next time that we play.’
“I thought everybody had their moments tonight.”
Who didn’t play Monday
