Kraft joins Badger Volleyball
March 23, 2020 | Volleyball
Graduate transfer adds depth at outside hitter position
MADISON, Wis. – Head coach Kelly Sheffield has announced that Deahna Kraft, a transfer from Pepperdine University, will join the Wisconsin volleyball team this fall. The graduate transfer will have at least one season of eligibility with the Badgers.
"I'm excited to have Deahna wearing a Badger jersey this fall," Sheffield said. "We recruited her when she was in high school and got to know her when she came here on a visit. I've always liked the way she plays the game. She is a fiery competitor who absolutely loves playing, and has a complete game. She's got great ball control, can hit with range, and reads the game well.
"Over the past few years, we've seen a lot of indoor players that have transitioned to the beach game later in their careers, but this is the first time I've seen a beach player move indoors after her college beach career is over. We are both looking forward to seeing how the transition goes. I know this, she'll fit in great with our team and is excited about helping this team get better."
A 6-foot outside hitter/defensive specialist, Kraft has spent the last three years competing in sand volleyball for the Waves. She earned VolleyballMag.com second-team All-America accolades and American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) honorable mention All-America honors in 2018 after being named the West Coast Conference Defender of the Year. A two-time first-team All-West Coast selection, Kraft also named to the WCC All-Freshman team in 2017.
In her three-plus seasons at Pepperdine, Kraft ranks 11th with most individual career wins with 67, tallying a career record of 67-30 (.691). She has aided the Waves to two West Coast championships and a pair of top-five finishes at the NCAA tournament, including a runner-up finish in 2017. In 2019, Kraft and her partner Brook Bauer, finished second at the USA Collegiate Beach Championship.
A native of Seattle, Kraft graduated from Garfield High School, earning league MVP honors as a junior and senior. In three years, she tallied 772 kills, 382 digs, 125 service aces and 44 blocks. Kraft also played with Washington Volleyball Academy, earning AAU All-American status in 2016.
Kraft joins incoming freshmen Jade Demps, MJ Hammill and Devyn Robinson in making up the Badgers' 2020 class.
"I'm excited to have Deahna wearing a Badger jersey this fall," Sheffield said. "We recruited her when she was in high school and got to know her when she came here on a visit. I've always liked the way she plays the game. She is a fiery competitor who absolutely loves playing, and has a complete game. She's got great ball control, can hit with range, and reads the game well.
"Over the past few years, we've seen a lot of indoor players that have transitioned to the beach game later in their careers, but this is the first time I've seen a beach player move indoors after her college beach career is over. We are both looking forward to seeing how the transition goes. I know this, she'll fit in great with our team and is excited about helping this team get better."
A 6-foot outside hitter/defensive specialist, Kraft has spent the last three years competing in sand volleyball for the Waves. She earned VolleyballMag.com second-team All-America accolades and American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) honorable mention All-America honors in 2018 after being named the West Coast Conference Defender of the Year. A two-time first-team All-West Coast selection, Kraft also named to the WCC All-Freshman team in 2017.
In her three-plus seasons at Pepperdine, Kraft ranks 11th with most individual career wins with 67, tallying a career record of 67-30 (.691). She has aided the Waves to two West Coast championships and a pair of top-five finishes at the NCAA tournament, including a runner-up finish in 2017. In 2019, Kraft and her partner Brook Bauer, finished second at the USA Collegiate Beach Championship.
A native of Seattle, Kraft graduated from Garfield High School, earning league MVP honors as a junior and senior. In three years, she tallied 772 kills, 382 digs, 125 service aces and 44 blocks. Kraft also played with Washington Volleyball Academy, earning AAU All-American status in 2016.
Kraft joins incoming freshmen Jade Demps, MJ Hammill and Devyn Robinson in making up the Badgers' 2020 class.
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Volleyball
S
/ Volleyball
OH/DS
/ Volleyball
MB
/ VolleyballThursday, September 24
Tuesday, September 22
Saturday, September 19
Saturday, September 19
