The 2026 Wisconsin volleyball team had to start the season with a huge test: a team comprised of all-star Badgers. Many of them are still playing professionally overseas. The current roster even had to do it without a couple of their primary players: Jaela Auguste, Halle Thompson (back row only), and Grace Lopez (back row only). So, the team was handcuffed and yet absolutely went toe-to-toe with a roster full of Badger volleyball legends, losing 3-1.
One of those legends is Sydney Hilley, arguably one of the greatest volleyball setters of all time. She spoke to the media after the alumni game, and one of the most pressing questions was her thoughts about the current 2026 volleyball squad. What she had to say was a glowing review of the team.
Hilley said she was proud of this team, "They're carrying the program the way that it should be. I actually talked to them in a team meeting today about what advice we want to give them. I think they're already doing such a good job of living in the moment." She continued, "They have such good relationships with each other that you can tell how much they love each other in the game and how hard they compete."
Sydney Hilley loves the culture and the play of the 2026 Wisconsin Badgers
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Hilley said she's eager to see what the future holds for this group. When pressed for what she noticed on the court with the current team, and not just the culture of the squad. She continued to beam about how talented this roster is and how impressed she was with their play in the alumni game and throughout the practices leading up to the game.
"I think their ball control is going to be pretty gnarly." Hilley said, "I mean, when they had the lineup with Kristen, Anna, and Audrey back there, I was like, 'Wow, they are just passing dimes over and over again.'
The depth of the roster also was a major point of emphasis. This has been something many of the fans have noticed too. Sheffield has a deeper bench than maybe he's ever had, especially with hitters. Yet, at every position there's someone right behind the starter pushing for a chance. There's now even a position battle for libero, and don't be surprised to see a lineup with both liberos in at the same time, with one of either Kristen Simon or Anna Bardaro playing defensive specialist.
Hilley agrees with this: "We didn't get to see some players play because they're hurt or whatever, but I think there's a lot of depth and things that they can mix up and be versatile with." She took a breath and leaned away from the mic before realizing she had one more thing to say: "And obviously, I think Charlie is the best setter in the country, so watching her is really fun."
This is high praise from a Badger legend, and it should get any Wisconsin fan waiting for the season to start to be giddy about the ceiling of this team. It may come with some bumps considering the youth of the team, but the best volleyball will be had as the season progresses.
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