Charlier Fuerbringer is the setter of the present, but with the loss of Addy Horner to the portal, head coach Kelly Sheffield was in need of a setter of the future. That came as a gift on the eve of Christmas Eve from Pitt in a roundabout way. The Badgers already had the No. 1 volleyball recruiting class, but it got even better when Isabelle Hoppe flipped her commitment from Pitt to Wisconsin.
Why? Well, Pitt decided to jump into the transfer portal and sign one of the top players in the portal, former Penn State setter Izzy Starck. However, that sent a ripple effect, prompting Hoppe to seek a new opportunity. Sheffield was quick to bring her to Madison.
Filling the setter vacancy: @BadgerVB lands Isabelle Hoppe, a top ranked setter in 2026 class. Originally signed with Pitt, but got release after Panthers signed Penn State transfer Izzy Starck. How the wheels turn. pic.twitter.com/WMNIPtcrbL
— Dennis Punzel (@DennisPunzel) December 24, 2025
Isabella Hoppe is the No. 3 ranked setter in the 2026 recruiting class according to PrepDig.com
Related: Kelly Sheffield adds surprising portal pickup and the reason became immediately clear
Hoppe is an elite setter in Pitt's own backyard. She spoke of wanting to play for Pitt and even having the chance to play a little as a true freshman. Yet, the signing of Starck changed that, and now she is headed to the Badgers. She may even come as early as January if she keeps the plans she had for Pitt (see the linked article).
It's an ideal scenario for Kelly Sheffield. While it continues to add more freshmen to the roster (now up to five), it's perfect in terms of Charlie Feurbringer, the All-American setter for Wisconsin. Feurbringer is headed into her junior year and will only have two years left to play. If Hoppe doesn't need to play next year, she could potentially use her redshirt freshman year while Feurbringer is a senior.
However, if she is needed to play, she brings elite ability to Madison and can be relied on like Horner was this year, to fill in any vacancies. She's listed as the No. 3 setter (PrepDig) in the 2026 recruiting class and the No. 7 prospect overall by PrepVolleyball & No. 21 by PrepDig.
This is a great get for Wisconsin and someone who can help the Badgers immediately and down the road. Thanks for the early gift, Pitt.