The Wisconsin Badgers had quite the run this past season, getting all the way to the Final Four before bowing out to the Kentucky Wildcats in a five-set thriller. This offseason, they saw quite a bit of change and now carry a roster that will look quite different in 2026.
The Badgers got a middle blocker in the transfer portal after losing Carter Booth and Alicia Andrew, landing Florida’s Jaela Auguste. Then, after the surprise departure of outside hitter Una Vajagic, Wisconsin went out and got UC Santa Barbara outside hitter Eva Travis to add more depth at the position.
The two transfers will join a loaded freshmen class that includes five players: outside hitters Audrey Flanagan, Madison Quest, and Halle Thompson, middle blocker/right side Kymora Scott, middle blocker Lynney Tarnow, and setter Izzy Hoppe, who was a late flip from Penn State.
With those seven newcomers, here’s how the 2026 roster looks:
Outside Hitters
Grace Egan
Eva Travis
Madison Quest
Halle Thompson
Audrey Flanagan
Middle Blockers
Jaela Auguste
Natalie Wardlow
Lynney Tarnow
Right Sides
Grace Lopez
Kymora Scott
Setters
Charlie Fuerbringer
Morgan Van Wie
Izzy Hoppe
Liberos
Kristen Simon
There was quite a bit of attrition, especially with the underclassmen, as the Badgers saw a number of players who could’ve seen bigger roles transfer out of the program. As a result, one position where they’re lighter is libero.
Wisconsin does have four open roster spots, but it’s unclear whether they’ll use all four to fill out their roster over the coming months. One or two of those spots likely go to the libero position, but the Badgers are pretty set everywhere else with the loaded freshman class coming in.
Looking at the team, there is a good amount of returning production, but Wisconsin will be relying more on its younger, rising players such as Egan, Simon, and Fuerbringer. The first look at the new team will come during the team’s four spring matches, which were announced earlier this month.
“The Badgers will do a mini tour of the state of Wisconsin this spring, playing three-of-four matches on the road. The Badgers will begin with Marquette at the Al McGuire Center in Milwaukee on March 23,” UW said. “The next two matches, UW will take on Minnesota (April 10) and Green Bay (April 18). The Minnesota match will take place at UW-Eau Claire at The Sonnentag, while the Badgers will travel to the Kress Events Center to face Green Bay. The final match of the spring season will occur on April 24 at the UW Field House and host Northern Illinois.”