The official preseason rankings for NCAA volleyball are out, and Wisconsin came in at No. 8, which is lower than they are used to being ranked, but fans have mixed feelings about it. While there is a ton of talent on the Badgers squad, there are many who think they are a bit unproven and will need to show why they should be ranked even this high.
The first group of fans can be classified as a "that's fair" ranking. Social media users like Joe Zawacki thought the team didn't warrant a higher ranking, yet are still excited for the season.
Totally fair. We have the potential but we don’t have enough proven pieces yet to warrant anything higher. Stoked to see how the season comes together.
— joe_zawacki (@Zawacki_Joe) August 6, 2025
He wasn't the only user to qualify the No. 8 ranking as fair. However, he may have vocalized what others were saying the most. That there should be a little doubt on the team but not much.
Fans can't decide if the Badger's ranking is too low or if it's fair
There's another group that thinks it's too low. How there's a bit of a disrespect narrative for being an Elite 8 team last year and returning most of their best players and adding strong transfer players, the Badgers should be ranked higher.
I think that's kind of low.
— Fan of all Wisconsin sports! ⚾️🏈🏐🏀 (@JeremiaGonzale4) August 6, 2025
#Badgers volleyball has a relatively low spot (by Wisconsin standards) in the AVCA preseason coaches poll, coming in at No. 8.https://t.co/yJ6QXU6Dsp
— John Steppe (@JSteppe1) August 6, 2025
The Badgers have a strong team, and Kelly Sheffield is getting them ready to go on a run this season. He was also a bit frustrated by the lack of respect, not for the ranking, he doesn't get into that. He was more concerned about the disrespect in the player awards and how Wisconsin didn't have any unanimous All Big Ten Team players.
The Badgers play a scheduled 11 games against ranked opponents on this list, including the top two teams in the nation: Nebraska and Penn State. Their schedule will give them plenty of opportunities to rise the rankings and prove to those who doubt them this season, wrong.