Badger Great Joins Volleyball Staff

MADISON, Wis. – Lauren Carlini, a 2024 Olympic silver medalist and Badger volleyball standout, has returned to the Badger bench as Offensive Analyst and Strategy Consultant, as announced by head coach Kelly Sheffield. 
 
Carlini starred at Wisconsin from 2013-2016 before competing professionally overseas in Italy, Russia, and Turkey. The four-time AVCA All-American has also been on the USA Volleyball women’s senior national team since 2016. After the 2024 Summer Olympics, Carlini announced her retirement from the U.S. national team, but will continue playing professionally as the founding member of LOVB Madison.
 
“Today is a great day for Wisconsin Volleyball,” Badger head coach Kelly Sheffield said. “I am so excited to bring Lauren back to be a member of our staff.  Her love and knowledge of this university, city, and program run deep.  Lauren had as big of an impact on the Wisconsin Volleyball program as anyone who has ever come through here, and she has continued to elevate the teams she has been a part of throughout her professional career – including setting her team to a Champions League title, winning an Olympic Silver Medal, and now being a founding member of the new professional team here in Wisconsin.  She has played the game for more than 20 years and I’m looking forward to her bringing all of that knowledge and passion back to Madison.”
 
The six-foot-two setter is one of the most decorated players in program history. She helped the Badgers finish runner-up at the 2013 NCAA Championships, was named Big Ten and AVCA Northeast Regional Freshman of the Year, and helped the team to a 2014 Big Ten Championship. To cap off her collegiate accolades, the Illinois native was also a four-time All-Big Ten selection and was named 2014 Big Ten Player of the Year and 2015 Big Ten Setter of the Year. Lastly, in 2016-17, Carlini was honored with the Sullivan Award for best amateur athlete in any sport in the United States.
 
This summer, Carlini, along with Badger legend Dana Rettke, became the first Badgers in program history named to an Olympic roster. In the opening match against China, Carlini played in two sets, and recorded two digs. For the next two matches, Carlini was out of the lineup due to injury, but returned in the team’s quarterfinal matchup against Poland. In the semifinal matchup against Brazil,…