Tour Coverage

June 5-17 | Prague, Czech, Republic; Vienna, Austria; Maribor, Slovenia; Venice, Italy; Milan, Italy; Rome, Italy

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin volleyball team heads to Europe from June 5-17, competing and sightseeing in Prague, Vienna, Slovenia and Italy. The Badgers will play six matches against teams from the Czech Republic, Slovenia, and Italy, including the Italian Junior National team.

The Badgers began practicing for their first foreign trip since 2007 on May 20. All 19 players on the 2019 UW roster will be traveling with the team, including six newcomers.

1. ROOKIE TRAVELERS: Only four current Wisconsin players have been to Europe while only eight athletes have been outside of North America. Sophomore Danielle Hart traveled to Slovenia, Croatia and Italy as a member of the 2018 U.S. National Team-Europe; freshman Anna MacDonald has been to the Czech Republic and Italy; freshman Emma Whitehead has been to France and Great Britain; and junior Dana Rettke has been to Bulgaria and Italy with the 2019 U.S. National Team.

2. WHAT WE WANT TO DO: Several of the things that the Badgers are looking forward to on the trip are experiencing different cultures, the high-level of competition, trying new foods, and bonding with the new players. The biggest food they want to try - GELATO!

3. CONTINUING ADVENTURES: Three members of the Badger team will continue their volleyball tours after the UW tour with three respective teams.

Two-time all-America middle blocker Dana Rettke, a junior from Riverside, Illinois, has been training and competing with the U.S. National Team since mid-May. She will remain with the team through June 6 as the U.S. returns to Lincoln, Nebraska, to play Korea, Germany and Brazil as part of the FIVB Volleyball Nations League. Rettke is expected to rejoin the Badgers in Slovenia. She will rejoin the U.S. National team after the Wisconsin tour.

Nicole Shanahan, a junior middle blocker from Oconomowoc, will join a Big Ten Conference-sponsored tour of Japan. She'll join the group June 17 through the end of the tour on June 26.

Junior transfer Lauren Barnes has been chosen to play for the U.S. in the World University Games in Italy starting June 30. The volleyball schedule has preliminary round matches from July 4-11, followed by semifinals on July 12 and medal-round matches on July 13.

4. DIFFERENT RULES: The biggest difference from U.S. to foreign play is the ball. The international ball has a dimpled texture that allows the ball to move and float more. The team has been practicing with two different international balls during the pre-tour practices. Other rules include screening of the service is allowed and the setter has the right to the ball, even if part of the ball is over the net.

5. LOTS OF WALKING: If the Badgers weren't in shape before the tour, they will be afterwards as the team will walk several miles many days on the tour. The team will also be using public transportation in the major cities and do a bike tour in Maribor.