The Badgers were without two of their new players in the alumni match. Middle blocker Jaela Auguste and freshman outside hitter Halle Thompson weren't available at all and were sidelined due to an injury. Halle Thompson was originally listed as a player who would play but as a "back-row" only player but she ended up being held out entirely.
Not much was said about the injuries ahead of the alumni match, nor was much said afterward. The only news was that both were being held out due to an abundance of caution. Yet, a fan's mind can race when not much info is shared, and let's be real, injuries can be weird. Kelly Sheffield agrees, which is why he held the players out; they could each play, but since the games don't matter, there's no reason to risk things.
Sheffield said that both are dealing with little things: "These aren't long-term things, but certainly we want no setbacks right now. We want to get people to get healthy."
Well, tomorrow is another exhibition, but this time against a real team: The Butler Bulldogs. And while once again, the game matters not for points, scoring, or record, the expectation for the impending season goes up. Will these two be ready for Butler? It certainly sounds like Sheffield will keep them out for that exhibition too. "TBD. We would love to get them out there. The fans would love to see them out there." Yet, he won't determine if they will play or not.
Kelly Sheffield on Jaela Auguste and Halle Thompson's status for the #Badgers' exhibition vs. Butler: TBD
— John Steppe (@JSteppe1) August 12, 2026
"These aren't long-term things, but certainly we want no setbacks right now. We want to get people healthy." pic.twitter.com/AnLTuVYRfC
Halle Thompson and Jaela Auguste are both dealing with "short-term" injuries
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Sheffield said both players are dealing with the same injury, "with a little ab strain." Neither is expected to be kept out ahead of the regular season, but since it's the exhibition, there's no reason to push them into the fire and risk turning a short-term injury into a long-term injury.
The negative side is that neither will be getting these important pre-season reps. Both are new to the Badgers. Auguste is a veteran player who was with the Florida Gators last season, but she's new to Sheffield's system and attack. Thompson is a true freshman with a ton of talent. Both of them could use these reps.
Thompson is even trying to be one of those true freshmen who is part of the regular rotation of outside hitters. These reps matter not just for experience and team chemistry for her, but to show that she's ready to be a force. It was fellow true freshman Audrey Flanagan who got the highlight reel and the match-high 17 kills in the alumni match. Thompson wants to be part of that 'hitter by committee' and has the talent to do so, but needs to be fully ready.
Ultimately, you need to keep both players healthy, but as Sheffield said, there's a real desire to see these players out there. It's already going to be a tough start to the season with a bunch of top-10 matchups on the schedule; injury setbacks will only make it worse.
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