Kelly Sheffield’s short list of recruiting targets is a really short list this year.
With his University of Wisconsin volleyball roster loaded with young players, Sheffield figures he will be making at most four zoom calls Sunday, the first day that college coaches are allowed to speak to recruits for the 2027 class.
“There’s a lot of really good kids across the country,” Sheffield said. “But what is our need? Who do we think is going to fit? There were a lot of people on our list at the start of the club season and we start whittling that down as we’re learning more about them. So you just kind of get to this number.”
A year ago, Sheffield made eight calls June 15 and one the following day and came away with what is widely regarded as the No. 1 class in the country. Two players, middle blockers Kymora Scott and Lynney Tarnow, committed that first day. Two others, outside hitters Audrey Flanagan and Halle Thompson, jumped onboard within the next couple days. Tarnow is considered the top middle in the country and Flanagan and Thompson are among the top three outside hitters.
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That group followed an even bigger 2025 class consisting of outside hitter Madison Quest, middle blocker Natalie Wardlow, setter/right side Addy Horner and liberos Kristen Simon and Aniya Warren.
“These last two classes were pretty big,” Sheffield said. “We’ve got a pretty young team, so we don’t lose a lot the next year or two.”
Sheffield added that there is talk of the NCAA allowing all student-athletes five years of eligibility — a proposal he supports but one that could further complicate roster calculations.
As things stand now, the Badgers have just one spot available for 2027, given the 18-player roster limit that is part of the settlement of three antitrust cases that gained final approval June 6. But considering the fluid nature of rosters in the transfer portal era, it’s quite possible that the Badgers could line up more than just one recruit.
Focus on the front row
Sheffield said he and his staff still were deciding whether to bring in another libero to provide some depth to the backcourt, but their top priority with the 2027 class is to add talent to the front row.
“There’s not a lot of depth on the right side,” Sheffield said. “But I feel like we can take a left, middle or right. The goal is to be able to bring in elite talented players and hopefully they’re here for their career.”
At the same time, Sheffield wants to maintain enough roster flexibility that he can pursue a top transfer prospect should one come along in the future.
“I think there’s a really good balance of high school recruiting, but also being able to stay flexible in order to get in the transfer game,” he said. “So you want to allow some flexibility if a game-changer goes into the portal that you’re able to bring them in.”
One position that won’t be addressed in this class is setter. The Badgers will have at least three more seasons with Charlie Fuerbringer and four with Horner on the roster, with sophomore Morgan Van Wie providing additional depth.
“So I think we’re in a very good spot,” Sheffield said. “We could’ve gone with a setter this year or next and we’ve decided we’re going to wait until ’28. The elite players at that position, they’re wanting to play right away, and I understand that. The elite quarterbacks aren’t going to wait till their third year. The elite setters aren’t going to wait till their third year when other really good programs can offer them a quicker pathway. I feel really good with our setting situation right now. We thought we might be going after one this year for ’27, but we’ve decided to punt that for a season.”
Lots of front row talent
According to PrepDig, a national recruiting service, eight of the top 10 players in the nation play somewhere across the front row, with the other two being setters. Those attackers in the top 10 are:
1. Kendall Omoruyi, a 6-4 MB from Arizona; 2. Olivia Henry, a 6-4 OH/RS from New York (attending prep school in Florida); 3. Westley Matavao, a 6-foot OH from California; 4. Ireland Real, a 6-4 OH from California; 5. Isabel Incinelli, a 6-5 MB/OH from Florida; 8. Tessa Larkin, a 6-1 OH from Arizona; 9. Brynn Stephens, a 6-3 outside hitter from Texas; 10. Shaye Witherspoon, a 6-3 OH from Missouri.
Another website, VB Adrenaline, also has eight front row players in its top 10 with Real at No. 1, and Omoruyi, Henry, Larkin and Witherspoon also on the list. Other top 10 hitters include: 8. Mckenna McIntosh, a 6-1 OH from California; 9. Lauren Forelli, a 6-2 OH from Arizona; and 10. Peyton Kubik, a 6-2 OH from Kansas.
Whether any of those players are on Sheffield’s call list is not known — NCAA rules prohibit him from discussing potential recruits until they sign with the school. But it’s clear he has plenty of options for his select list.
How much does money talk?
The big headline of the House vs. NCAA settlement agreement is the roughly $20.5 million in revenue sharing that schools can distribute to its student-athletes. Wisconsin, like most other schools, has not said how that money will be divided between sports. But the perception in volleyball circles is that Wisconsin will be among the top tier when it comes to available finances.
Sheffield couldn’t be specific about his budget, but he didn’t dispute that presumption.
“Volleyball is very important to our administration, our university and to this community,” he said. “I would say the support we’re getting is indicative of how important this program is.
“That’s primarily because we’ve been elite for a while and the incredible fan base of the people who just keep showing up and being a part of this. Not only is it important to everybody that we maintain, I think everybody sees an opportunity where there’s another level for us to get to. I think we’re all trying to do that and the administration is making decisions that will allow us to be in the ballgame with that.
“I would think that we’re well-positioned moving forward. You won’t find a single coach in any sport who thinks they’re getting the right amount. Every coach thinks they should be getting more. Every one. But if we’re making really good decisions, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t continue to be in the ballgame.”
While the Badgers figure to be competitive or have a financial advantage in recruiting, Sheffield doesn’t expect it to be a major part of his conversations Sunday. Last year the topic of NIL or the anticipated revenue sharing didn’t come up with any of the nine players with whom he spoke.
“I would anticipate our calls being somewhat similar,” Sheffield said. “The dialog in the public forum is so much about money, but to me, it’s still about building relationships and being open and honest about who we are and how I see them fitting in and talking about our university and elevating lives. At the end of the day, we’re still teachers and we’re still helping people in their late teens and early 20s, providing an education and being a part of an elite program.
“That narrative is not going to be lost when we’re talking with recruits and their families and the people around them. If the money is their No. 1 thing, they’ll be choosing other schools because that just is not going to be the main part of our dialog.”
Sheffield said his top priorities remain finding players who best fit the program in terms of talent and character.
“I still think it comes back to recruiting really good kids that are talented, that are a good fit for our program and not just going after people for whom it’s just a money grab,” he said. “What we’re looking for is still very similar. We’ve been very strategic in our recruiting and the type of people that are able to have some success and fit in here.
“Even though there’s a financial element for some of the players right now, hopefully we’re still able to bring in people that are high character and very motivated and team-first players and that our fan base is passionate about following.”
Photos: Wisconsin volleyball battles UW-Green Bay in spring exhibition match

Wisconsin takes the court to play Green Bay on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wi.

Wisconsin setter Charlie Fuerbringer (24) sets the ball for Carter Booth (52) against Green Bay on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wi.

Wisconsin outside hitter Mini Cooler (15) rises up for a spike against Green Bay on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wi.

Wisconsin outside hitter Una Vajagic (1) jumps to spike the ball against Green Bay on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wi.

Wisconsin setter Charlie Fuerbringer (24) high-fives fans before playing Green Bay on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wi.

Wisconsin outside hitter Madison Quest (10) goes to bump the ball against Green Bay on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wi.

Wisconsin setter Charlie Fuerbringer (24) jumps to serve the ball against Green Bay on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wi.

Wisconsin outside hitter Mini Cooyler (15) reaches out for a high-five against Green Bay on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wi.

Wisconsin outside hitter Madison Quest (10) jumps to spike the ball against Green Bay on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wi.

Wisconsin libero Maile Chan (18) bumps the ball against Green Bay on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wi.

Wisconsin outside hitter Madison Quest (10) can’t reach the ball for a Green Bay point on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wi.

Wisconsin outside hitter Mimi Coyler (15) can’t reach a falling ball against Green Bay on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wi.

Wisconsin setter Charlie Fuerbringer (24) sets the ball against Green Bay on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wi.

Wisconsin outside hitter Grace Egan (32) flexes after a spike against Green Bay on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wi.

Wisconsin outside hitter Una Vajagic (1) serves the ball against Green Bay on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wi.

Wisconsin middle blocker Carter Booth (52), center celebrates after a block to win the match against Green Bay on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wi.