Trio of Badgers compete overseas with U.S. National team

MADISON, Wis. – Three current and former members of the Wisconsin volleyball team are headed overseas to compete for a pair of U.S. National teams.

Former Badger Lauren Carlini as well as junior Dana Rettke are competing in the FIVB Volleyball Nations League finals from Wednesday-Sunday in Nanjing, China.

In addition, junior Lauren Barnes will compete in the World University Games in Naples, Italy, from Friday – July 12.

Two Badgers to compete against world's best

Poland, China, Turkey, Brazil and the U.S. have qualified for the finals of the 2019 Nations League. The U.S. opens FIVB play on Wednesday vs. Poland at 2 a.m. CT before taking on Brazil on Friday at 2 a.m. Semifinals begin on Saturday at 2 a.m. with the bronze-medal match scheduled for 2 a.m. and the gold-medal match at 6:30 a.m.

U.S. Preview | FIVB Volleyball Nations League | Stream

U.S. National Team
Outsides (4): Michelle Bartsch-Hackley, Mikaela Foecke, Jordan Larson, Kelsey Robinson
Opposites (2): Annie Drews, Jordan Thompson
Middles (4): Tori Dixon, Chiaka Ogbogu, Dana Rettke, Haleigh Washington
Setters (2): Lauren Carlini, Jordyn Poulter
Liberos (2): Megan Courtney, Mary Lake

Barnes makes first appearance in Red, White and Blue

Barnes makes her first appearance in the Red, White and Blue, and her second trip to Europe this summer. The U.S. is part of Group D for the preliminary rounds of the tournament with Switzerland, Japan and Italy. Their play opens on Friday at 1 p.m. CT vs. Italy followed by Switzerland on Saturday at 7:30 a.m. and Japan on Sunday at 7:30 a.m.

Elimination play begins on July 9 with the quarterfinals. The bronze medal and gold-medal matches will be held on July 12 at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., respectively.

World University Games

Name (Position, School, Height, College Eligibility Remaining)
Kara Bajema (OH, Washington, 6-2, 1)
Lauren Barnes (L, Wisconsin, 5-6, 2)
Diana Brown (S, Illinois, 6-0, 4)
Kylie DeBerg (OH, Missouri, 6-4, 2)
Kennedy Eschenberg (MB, BYU, 6-5, 2)
Tori Dilfer (S, Louisville, 5-10, 2)
Audriana Fitzmorris (OPP, Stanford, 6-6, 1)
Madeleine Gates (MB, UCLA, 6-3, 1)
Meghan McClure (OH, Stanford, 6-0, 2)
Avie Niece (MB, Washington, 6-0, 1)
Adanna Rollins (OH, Minnesota, 6-0, 3)
Stephanie Samedy (OPP, Minnesota, 6-2, 2)

Head Coach: Keegan Cook (University of Washington)
Assistant Coach: Beth Launiere (University of Utah)

University of Wisconsin Athletics