Lauren Barnes joins Badger volleyball
April 24, 2019 | Volleyball
Transfer from Minnesota will have two years of eligibility
MADISON, Wis. – Head coach Kelly Sheffield has announced that Lauren Barnes, a libero/defensive specialist from the University of Minnesota, has joined the Wisconsin volleyball team.
"We're very excited to add Lauren to the roster," said Sheffield. "I think she will fit in great with our team. She's a big-time competitor and absolutely loves being in the gym. Our stats had her as one of the top-five best servers in the Big Ten, and scored points at 55 percent against us this past season, so she will have an immediate impact in that area.
"As for passing, she has great touch on the ball and doesn't have very many errors. She is also a very solid defensive player, who has a fighting spirit to keep the ball off of the ground."
In two years with the Golden Gophers, Barnes played in 65 matches and 225 sets, averaging 2.28 digs per set. The 5-foot-6 native of Naperville, Illinois, recorded double-figure digs in five matches as a freshman, averaging 1.98 digs per set. She also added 17 service aces, scoring 0.14 per set.
As a sophomore, Barnes averaged 2.60 digs per set, tallying double figures in 11 matches, including a career-high 19 vs. Nebraska. She nearly doubled her service aces from her freshman season, averaging 0.29 aces per set. She had a career-high three service aces in five matches. Barnes was also named Academic All-Big Ten and earned the Gophers Big Ten Sportsmanship award.
As a prep, Barnes played at Benet Academy with current Badger Tiffany Clark, and with 1st Alliance Volleyball Club with current Badger Dana Rettke. A 2016 Prepvolleyball.com Preseason All-American and a Defensive Dandie, Barnes earned all-conference honors as a senior, aiding her team to the conference and regional championships as a junior and senior. As a senior, she had over 500 digs and served at 93 percent.
"We're very excited to add Lauren to the roster," said Sheffield. "I think she will fit in great with our team. She's a big-time competitor and absolutely loves being in the gym. Our stats had her as one of the top-five best servers in the Big Ten, and scored points at 55 percent against us this past season, so she will have an immediate impact in that area.
"As for passing, she has great touch on the ball and doesn't have very many errors. She is also a very solid defensive player, who has a fighting spirit to keep the ball off of the ground."
In two years with the Golden Gophers, Barnes played in 65 matches and 225 sets, averaging 2.28 digs per set. The 5-foot-6 native of Naperville, Illinois, recorded double-figure digs in five matches as a freshman, averaging 1.98 digs per set. She also added 17 service aces, scoring 0.14 per set.
As a sophomore, Barnes averaged 2.60 digs per set, tallying double figures in 11 matches, including a career-high 19 vs. Nebraska. She nearly doubled her service aces from her freshman season, averaging 0.29 aces per set. She had a career-high three service aces in five matches. Barnes was also named Academic All-Big Ten and earned the Gophers Big Ten Sportsmanship award.
As a prep, Barnes played at Benet Academy with current Badger Tiffany Clark, and with 1st Alliance Volleyball Club with current Badger Dana Rettke. A 2016 Prepvolleyball.com Preseason All-American and a Defensive Dandie, Barnes earned all-conference honors as a senior, aiding her team to the conference and regional championships as a junior and senior. As a senior, she had over 500 digs and served at 93 percent.
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