It appeared that Kelly Sheffield and the Wisconsin Badgers were done in the transfer portal for the season, they weren't. UW added a very important veteran leader, Jada Cerniglia, out of Northern Illinois. She may have spent her college career playing in Illinois, but she played her high school seasons in Middleton, just outside of Madison, Wisconsin. She has chosen to use her final season of eligibility to give the Badgers another strong leader from the Libero position.
Jada Cerniglia has committed to transfer to Wisconsin. The 5-foot-3 defensive specialist appeared in 54 matches during the past three seasons for Northern Illinois.
— Lincoln Arneal (@Lincoln_VB) February 6, 2025
She grew up in Cross Plains, Wis., which is just outside Madison. pic.twitter.com/JyeHVUuRO5
Wisconsin volleyball picks up a transfer from Northern Illinois, Jada Cerniglia
Cerniglia's best season came in 2023 when she recorded 144 digs and 20 aces. She is a high-IQ player with plenty of volleyball experience. This will go nicely with the squad that Sheffield is building for next season. According to Dennis Punzel from BadgerExtra, she has deep Wisconsin Badger roots.
"Wisconsin athletics has truly been a family affair for Cerniglia, a 5-foot-3 defensive specialist who is transferring from Northern Illinois with one season of eligibility remaining. Her mother, Aleah (Coughlin), played one season of volleyball for the Badgers and then-coach John Cook. Her father, Mike Cerniglia, played four seasons of hockey under coach Jeff Sauer and later served on the administrative staff in the Barry Alvarez era and as executive director of the National W Club. And her brother, Mike Jr., similarly finished out his collegiate football career as a Badger after previously attending Northern Illinois and Illinois."Dennis Punzel, BadgerExtra.com
According to one Big Ten Volleyball analyst, the Wisconsin Badgers had already won the transfer portal. In this offseason, UW has added Grace Egan from Ohio State, Grace Lopez from Miami, and Mimi Colyer from Oregon. With Cerniglia now in the fold, that's the fourth transfer, and at a position in which Sheffield would love a bit more depth, libero. It also never hurts to have more veterans on the team who can help steady the ship when the runs come from opponents.