The Wisconsin Badgers had four recruits in the Under Armour All-American volleyball game. The all-star event showcases the best volleyball recruits in the nation going head-to-head in Orlando. Kelly Sheffield had two outside hitters: Halle Thompson and Audrey Flanagan, one middle blocker: Lynney Tarnow, and one setter: Isabelle Hoppe in the game.
Thompson and Tarnow may have played on the losing team, but they were the two best players on the court, and it really wasn't even close. Tarnow basically took over the entire first set by herself, recording five kills and two blocks. The announcers were even asking each other, "Have we ever had a middle blocker win the MVP award?"
Tarnow is tall at 6'5" and plays even taller. She literally had to be game-planned around to help Team Roses ultimately win the match.
Future Wisconsin vball stats from UA Next:
— Badger of Honor (@BadgerOfHonorFS) January 1, 2026
Lynney Tarnow: 9 kills, 1 assist, 4 blocks
Halle Thompson: 13 kills
Audrey Flanagan: 4 kills, 1 assist
Isabelle Hoppe: 1 kill
unofficial stats via my guy @Lincoln_VB
Lynney Tarnow and Halle Thompson will come in and play as true freshman
Related: Two former Wisconsin volleyball players find new homes through the portal
Tarnow ended the four-set match with nine kills, one assist, and four blocks. She was rotating in and out, as these matches tend to go. Halle Thompson was the best outside hitter by a good margin. As Sheffield would say, "She has a cannon for an arm." She ended the match with 13 kills, and she missed a few by inches. She was impressive and looks ready to go. Getting kills from all over the court.
The biggest takeaway is that Thompson and Tarnow look like they will be ready to go immediately for the Wisconsin Badgers. Both will be seeing minutes next season. Tarnow will be the second middle blocker, like Alicia Andrew was last season. She will play rotational minutes behind Jaela Auguste, the transfer from the Florida Gators.
Thompson will also find space as a hitter in the Wisconsin offense. She does something that Sheffield always praises: "takes courageous hits." She will be working with Grace Egan, Madison Quest, Eva Travis, and even Audrey Flanagan.
The other two Wisconsin commits, Flanagan and Hoppe, also looked good and showed a ton of potential. Flanagan was on the winning team and looked good when she was featured, and Hoppe shows a ton of potential, too. They may be more on the scout team or using the year to backup next year, but they both will ultimately be weapons for the Badgers.