Wisconsin making it to the Final Four this season was an amazing and magical surprise from the expectations at the start of the season, when Grace Lopez went down to injury. Then the Badgers got swept by Texas early on, and it felt like it was going to be a good season, but not a great season. While it was heartbreaking to lose to Kentucky, the season was a success overall as a fan.
And yet, the future is even brighter. Yes, losing Carter Booth, Mimi Colyer, and Alicia Andrew to graduation is a major loss, but head coach Kelly Sheffield has been preparing for this moment. Now, here are four reasons the future is even brighter than the present.
1. Wisconsin will have Grace Lopez returning from injury
Lopez was to be a major tandem alongside Colyer this season. Egan was going to find playing time in the rotation, but it was Lopez who was going to be the primary outside hitter opposite Colyer. Next season, she will be back and can even slide into the hole that Colyer is leaving.
Add what Egan and Una Vajagic were able to do this year to an even bigger next season and watch out.
2. Wisconsin's core is all young
Losing the starting middle blocker and one of the outside hitters is a big loss, but every other starter is an underclassman. The starting libero, Kristen Simon, was a true freshman this year. The star setter, Charlie Fuerbringer, is only a sophomore. Grace Egan and Una Vajagic are both redshirt sophomores. More than half the starting lineup have multiple years more to play.
If you go into the depth pieces that rotated in and may end up being starters or more featured next season (pending they all stay Badgers), Addy Horner, Madison Quest, and Natalie Wardlow are all true freshmen. Trinity Shadd-Ceres is a sophomore.
3. Wisconsin welcomed the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation
According to PrepDig.com, Wisconsin welcomed the top recruiting class in the nation for next year's team. Four players, all at All-American caliber, who will come in and compete for immediate minutes.
Halle Thompson (No. 2 overall recruit) - Outside Hitter
Audrey Flanagan (No. 4 overall recruit) - Outside Hitter
Lynney Tarnow (No. 7 overall recruit) - Middle Blocker
Kymora Scott (under the radar grab) - Middle Blocker
Don't be surprised to see any of them become immediate starters for the Badgers next season. They are all insane players who bring immediate dominance to the Wisconsin Badgers. Read more about the class here.
4. The best recruit in the world is coming to Wisconsin in 2027
One more, even though it won't matter next year, is that Decelise Champion, one of the best players in the world, has committed to Wisconsin for 2027. She plays on the Puerto Rican national team and plays professionally in Italy. She's elite and only continues to remind Wisconsin fans that the future continues to be extremely bright for Wisconsin volleyball.
We didn't even get into the portal. The Badgers will probably lose some pieces from their depth but Kelly Sheffield has shown he knows how to add value from the portal.