Wisconsin volleyball signs three top-30 players

MADISON, Wis. – Three of the top-30 players in the country have signed National Letters of Intent to play volleyball at Wisconsin, head coach Kelly Sheffield announced on Wednesday.

Jade Demps, a 6-foot-2 outside hitter from Raleigh, North Carolina; M.J. Hammill, a 6-foot setter from Greenwood, Indiana; and Devyn Robinson, a 6-foot-2 middle blocker from Ankeny, Iowa, will play with the Badgers beginning in 2020.

"I really like this class a lot," said Sheffield. "All three absolutely love to compete. They don't flinch and they don't back down in big moments. All three of them are very confident in themselves but they all are extremely driven to learn and get better. They've all had coaches around them that have pushed them and helped them develop. They also have personalities that people are drawn to. I think Badger fans are really going to enjoy watching this group."

Jade Demps

6-2 • OH • Raleigh, N.C. • Broughton High School • Coach Drew Hermanson
NC Volleyball Academy Coach • Keisha Demps

Ranked No. 13 on PrepVolleyball Senior Aces
2018-19 USA Volleyball Girls Youth National Training Team
2017, 2018 and 2019 PrepVolleyball All-American
2018 AVCA North Carolina Player of the Year
2018 Gatorade State Player of the Year Finalist
2019 Ultra Ankle JVA All-National Team
2017 and 2018 Ultra Ankle JVA All-American
2017, 2018 and 2019 Conference Player of the Year
Two-Time High School Female Athlete of the Year
Earned USATF All-American honors in the high jump and pentathlon

Sheffield on Demps: "Jade is a beast. She's got a heavy arm and is someone who hits with power. She's young for her grade and still has a way to go to grow into her incredible potential, but it's there. She's a really nice athlete and was a track and field All-American in the pentathlon. I can see her on the left or right here."

MJ Hammill

6-0 • S • Greenwood, Ind. • Center Grove High School • Coach Chris Due
Munciana Volleyball Club • Mike Lingenfelter

Ranked No. 30 on PrepVolleyball Senior Aces
2019 Ultra Ankle JVA All-National Team
Three-time first-team All-State
Two-time County Player of the Year
Has more than 3,500 assists and 1,000 digs in her career; also adds more than 150 aces and 500 kills
Aided Center Grove High School to a semifinal appearance in the 2019 Indiana State Tournament
Earned Academic All-State and Academic All-Conference honors

Sheffield on Hammill: "MJ is a very mature, focused, and driven competitor. People love playing with her and for her. She has a very high motor and is constantly searching for ways to get better. One of the traits that great setters have is the ability to make those around them better, and MJ has that."

Devyn Robinson

6-2 • MB • Ankeny, Iowa • Ankeny Centennial High School • Coach Jessica Rinehart
Iowa Powerplex Volleyball Club • Keke Palea

Ranked No. 14 on PrepVolleyball Senior Aces
Member of the 2018 and 2019 USA Volleyball Girls Youth National Team; won gold medals at the 2018 NORCECA Championship in Honduras and 2019 World Under 18 Championships in Egypt; Named Best Blocker in the 2019 tournament
2016 and 2018 Iowa State Class 5A champions
Earned all-state tournament honors in 2017 and 2018
2019 All-USA Preseason Volleyball Team
Holds high school record for most blocks in a season

Sheffield on Robinson: "Devyn has the potential to be a big-time player for us. She wants to own the net, which is a mentality that every great blocker must have. She can hit first, second, and third tempo and off of one or two feet. I can see her in the middle or on the right for us."

University of Wisconsin Athletics