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.
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 "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.Â
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"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."
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Kraft joins incoming freshmen Jade Demps, MJ Hammill and Devyn Robinson in making up the Badgers' 2020 class.
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 "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.Â
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"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."
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Kraft joins incoming freshmen Jade Demps, MJ Hammill and Devyn Robinson in making up the Badgers' 2020 class.
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Players Mentioned
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