Wisconsin Badgers

Head Coach Kelly Sheffield on Whitehead: "I'm excited to announce Emma as the next member of our class. She has played for one of the top club programs in the country for her entire career. She is a tough, fearless, high-energy, team-first player. She's been coming to camps and matches at the Field House for years – which is unusual for someone who lives in Arizona. She serves and passes well, and has good range defensively. I'm really looking forward to having Emma in our gym."

High School: Named the 2018 Arizona 2A All-State Defensive Player of the Year for coach Kim Ohlinger ... earned first-team all-state honors as a senior, aiding the Eagles to state championships as a junior and as a senior ... ranked as the seventh best player in the state of Arizona ...  earned honorable mention all-academic team honors ... played club volleyball with Arizona Storm Elite for coach Terri Spann ... club won the 2016 USA Volleyball 15 Open championship and two Colorado Crossroad championships ... the Storm also finished fifth in 2017 and 13th in 2018 at the USA Volleyball championships

Personal: Parents are Trent and Barb Whitehead ... mother played golf at Iowa State and Tulsa, and played on the LPGA for 18 years ... has one sister, Sarah (19) ... born Aug. 16 ... nickname is Bean ... intends on majoring in wildlife ecology
 

Why Wisconsin?
"I chose the University of Wisconsin because the people here are incredible, with some of the best coaches you’ll find and amazing teammates. I couldn’t imagine a better school. And the atmosphere of the Field House on game days is awesome, we have the best fans in the country. I also appreciate the academic standards this school has and I know I will be getting a quality degree."

Off the court with Emma

First started volleyball: seventh grade
Most memorable volleyball match: My freshman year of high school my club team and I beat Coast VBC at nationals and won 15 Open.
The best part of playing volleyball is: when I step on the court, I forget about things going on around me, and I get to play the sport I love. I also love that it’s a team sport and requires everyone to work together.
My favorite thing about Wisconsin volleyball is: the culture of the program is what I love so much, the willingness to go all out for each other everyday and just get after it.
Before each match, I: listen to music and have a dance party
Is there anything significant about your uniform number? My old number was six, so its six plus one
Post-college plans/goals: I want to become a wildlife ecologist and study animals. I want to live on a farm.
Fantasy job/career: a veterinarian
Persons most admired/role models: my parents
I can’t live without: grapefruit
Nobody knows how much I love to: sing
If I had a million dollars, I would: buy a farm
My bucket list includes: get a pet manatee (if that’s possible), visit Australia
What are you most thankful for? My family
What makes you laugh? When other people start laughing, and the show The Office.
What food have you never eaten but would really like to try? Ratatouille
What did you want to be when you were 10 years old? A professional horseback rider
What TV character would you like to change places with? Michael Scott
Do you speak any other languages? If not, which one(s) do you wish you could speak? I can barely speak Spanish,
What food do you crave most often? Grapefruit
What causes do you care about? Saving wildlife
How did you get your nickname? One day my friend told me she wanted to call me Bean so she did then everyone caught on.
 

What does it mean to be a Badger?
"To me, being a Badger means giving it your all day in and day out. It also means to be selfless and to be the best teammate I can be, and pushing myself and those around me to get better everyday."