Puerto Rican star outside hitter Decelise Champion has arrived in Madison and is gearing up to help in whatever way she can this season. She's playing from behind a little bit with the chemistry and knowing the systems and runs that this offense/defense likes to play. She's been helping her national team qualify for the Olympics until now.
Sheffield has been downplaying and shielding her a bit, and all his comments are reminding fans and the media that she's only 16. As any good leader should, he's trying to make sure a teenager doesn't feel enormous pressure or come in with some sort of savior complex. However, he doesn't need to shield her. He doesn't need to hold her back; she can handle the pressure.
His concern should be mostly on getting her acclimated to the Wisconsin volleyball system and building chemistry with her teammates. Sheffield doesn't need to worry at all about the pressure on her shoulders. She's had more.
Champion was the star player on a roster full of upper 20s and low 30s. She was carrying the expectations of a country on her shoulders. Puerto Rico volleyball put a ton of pressure on her, and yet she rose to the challenge and did not shrink from it. She walked away from the past qualifying event with multiple awards. She was the leading point scorer in the entire event. It seems that she can handle the pressure.
She’s been carrying the weight of Puerto Rico national hopes for months. I think she can handle it. https://t.co/7RllpxT1jc
— Badger of Honor (@BadgerOfHonorFS) September 1, 2026
As soon as Decelise Champion knows the system, Sheffield needs to remove the gloves
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Champion probably won't play in the next game, since she just got to Wisconsin, and Sheffield's comments make it seem like he's going to ease her in, as she understands what Wisconsin's system is. But as soon as she's ready, gloves have to come off and let her rip.
She's an elite player and could be the next Olivia Babcock or maybe even beyond. Sheffield can protect her from some of the expectations, but he doesn't need to protect her from the pressure. Let her rise to the challenge as she did for Puerto Rico.
Add in the fact that she's needed, and the outside hitter situation at Wisconsin is loaded, but it's not stable. The Badgers have yet to find a combination that works well. Audrey Flanagan, another true freshman, has been the best hitter on the roster, but beyond her it's been a bit piecemeal. There was an expectation that one of the others would rise up like Flanagan, but it's yet to really happen.
Egan is still recovering and has had to play a lot of right side. Eva Travis has had compounding mistakes, and the others have yet to really take on the challenge of the opportunity. Or they are true freshmen also figuring out their way. There's room for Champion to step in and step up, as soon as she's ready.
Sheffield needs to cut Champion loose as soon as possible and let her rip.
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