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Step Inside KPMG’s Florida Lakehouse, From the Bedrooms to the Bar

Published

5 months ago

August 9, 2025

Your Sports Nation

2025-08-09T09:00:01Z

KPMG has a training facility for its employees in Florida, called Lakehouse.
The Big Four firm invited Business Insider’s Polly Thompson for an inside look.
From putting greens to soft serve ice cream, this is what being there is like.

When KPMG’s client-facing US employees fly to its sleek $450 million training facility in Florida, roughly once a year, they’re there to learn.

I was there alongside 225 excited interns, a group of midlevel professionals, and some of the firm’s most senior leaders.

But the 18-hole putting green, tropical weather, and karaoke in the bar made it feel as much like a corporate amusement park for adults as a corporate retreat.

The company told me owning the lavish property, which sleeps 800 people, costs the same as what it spent on training before it opened in 2019. They also evangelized the need to bring people together, even if that meant flying people in from across the country.

This is what being there was like, from drummers pumping people up to ice cream to warnings about alligators.

To understand KPMG’s Lakehouse, you have to wipe the image of classic lakehouse out of your head.

KPMG Lakehouse — My first glimpse of Lakehouse, after passing through the security gates.

Polly Thompson

I wasn’t sure whether to expect a corporate office or a quaint cottage that the name made me picture. Lakehouse turned out to be neither.

From Orlando Airport, KPMG shuttles employees by bus to the facility in Lake Nona, a planned community and innovation hub.

When I saw it for the first time as I drove up the wide horseshoe driveway, I was surprised by its size.

I was ushered into a spacious, air-conditioned lobby with two-tiered windows that let all the light in.

Smiling staff in Lakehouse-branded polo shirts welcomed people as they instructed them to find their name badges and drop bags in their rooms.

On my first evening, a welcome presentation for summer interns featured a group of drummers.

KPMG drumming event at the Lakehouse. — A drumming performance welcomed interns to Lakehouse.

Polly Thompson

A welcome presentation in the property’s large conference hall kicked off with a drum parade.

At one point, the drummers raised their sticks in the air and shouted, “KPMG.” If it hadn’t before, Lakehouse felt like a corporate holiday camp now.

Jason LaRue, a partner and the head of talent and culture at KPMG, told me the drumming was to make the interns “feel celebratory.”

“We’re just trying to show people that it’s different and to create a special kind of energy,” he added.

KPMG-ers can preorder free tea and coffee from their rooms.

There’s a Starbucks in the lobby where free coffee and tea are available throughout the day. If you preorder from your bedroom early enough, you can pick it up before training.

The lobby looks down onto “The Exchange,” the main food hall.

The ‘AI Quad’ in the lobby is a support hub for any questions about the technology.

In May, KPMG turned a corner of its lobby into an “AI Quad.”

It’s really just a group of four tech support staff standing by in the lobby to answer any on-the-fly questions that employees, partners, or visiting clients about using AI.

Classrooms were designed to encourage participation.

I saw employees, young and older, using different learning spaces and walking around like it was a remarkably elegant college campus.

There were smaller breakout rooms with casual seating arrangements, meeting rooms, classrooms for around 20 people, and large spaces for 100 or more people to gather.

I also sat in on AI training sessions for tax and audit interns, during which someone from the on-site gym ran in and announced he was leading a five-minute “wellness break” of stretching and breathwork accompanied by relaxing music.

For downtime, there’s mini-golf and cycling.

Some accountants are more vivacious than others, so having a few activities can help them break the ice and network, Sherry Magee, the senior director of client and community relations at Lakehouse, told me.

Lakehouse Park’s most recent addition is an 18-hole putting green.

The green is designed to mimic famous golf courses — a nod to KPMG’s sponsorship of the Women’s PGA Championship.

Evelyn Nunez-Alfaro, a tax intern, told me that she had already played pickleball and some mini-golf on her first day. “It’s fun being active over here,” she said.

The sporting options don’t stop at golf. There are courts for basketball, volleyball, and pickleball, as well as a bike trail.

The property also has a basketball court, beach volleyball court, two pickleball courts, a softball field, and a bike trail.

I was starting to wonder if coming to Lakehouse feels at all like being at work.

Andre Gaviola, an audit intern, said the amenities “really show that the company prioritizes work-life balance,’ adding, “I’m not going to say it is a vacation, but in some ways it feels like a vacation.”

Enjoying Florida nature comes with risks.

During my tour, I saw signs warning guests to watch out for the local wildlife. One KPMG employee mentioned a rumour that a drunken partner had fallen in the lake and tussled with an alligator.

I had to ask about that.

Alligators are just an “urban legend,” Magee, my tour guide, told me. “You have to put up the signs, but there are no alligators,” she said.

But some remained wary. Gaviola had ventured out on the bike trail, but stayed on his bike the whole way. “I saw the signs and was a little concerned.”

In the evenings, guests can do karaoke and salsa-making at The Landing.

The Landing is a popular hangout in the evenings. Maybe that’s inevitable at a company-owned training facility where employees stay on-site. Several interns told me they were planning to watch the NBA finals there.

It often hosts events and competitions, like karaoke and salsa-making competitions.

A large square bar, TVs on the walls, and pool tables were visible from outside. But I didn’t get to see it open as KPMG didn’t let me stay on-site — presumably to avoid a journalist hanging out with consultants letting loose.

The main canteen, The Exchange, is full of free food.

Gaviola, the audit intern, told me what stood out most about Lakehouse was “the free food and the abundance of it.”

At The Exchange, a large canteen overlooking a green courtyard, the breakfast offerings included bacon, eggs, pancakes, a fruit and yogurt bar, breakfast tacos, and healthy smoothies.

At lunch, serving stations had pasta, pizza, sushi, hot subs, grilled fish, and colourful salads.

Some of the treats were too good to say no to.

KPMG Lakehouse ice cream — I had an ice cream to help stay refreshed in the Florida heat.

Polly Thompson

For dessert, hot apple pie, doughnut balls, and beignets caught my eye. But in the Florida heat, I had to make the most of the soft-serve ice cream tap and toppings.

There are also a few Easter eggs around Lakehouse that don’t show up on the property’s app — yes, it has its own app — like a secret freezer filled with ice cream on an upper floor.

There was one food item that almost everyone mentioned.

I asked what the best food was.

Pasta alla vodka, bang bang shrimp, and the smash burgers came up, but KPMG-ers were unanimous: chocolate-drizzled peanut butter bites.

“I would travel across the country multiple times a year just to eat the peanut butter bites,” said a partner in the interns’ welcome talk.

My guides asked the kitchen to prepare a plate specially for me, even though they weren’t typically available that day, such was people’s enthusiasm.

The little Rice Krispies bits gave them a nice crunch, and they weren’t as intensely peanut-buttery as I expected. Given the hype, I wasn’t blown away, but writing this is making me crave one.

Everyone from the CEO to interns sleeps in the same type of bedroom.

Interns and KPMG’s most senior leaders were all staying in the same style of bedroom, Magee told me.

Each room has an en-suite bathroom and a desk because, after all, everyone’s meant to be working.

KPMG employees get an early start at the on-site gym.

Guests often head to the gym or for walks around the property before training. When I visited in mid-morning, it was fairly empty, but Magee said it gets busy at around 6 a.m.

Lakehouse sells merch, including golf balls and Taylor Swift-esque friendship bracelets.

At the imaginatively named “The Store,” guests can buy Lakehouse-branded clothing and small gifts. I found golf balls and chip markers for sale, a nod to KPMG’s connection to women’s golf.

A woman’s sports jacket cost $63, and KPMG caps were $25. I was expecting prices to be higher.

For $2.25, guests can buy Taylor Swift-esque friendship bracelets spelling out “fueled by curiosity” or “Lakehouse.”

There are over 1,700 solar panels on the roof.

Magee said that 7% of the property’s energy came from the 1,700 solar panels on the roof. The facility also provides guests with reusable aluminium water bottles and refill stations.

But how environmentally conscious is it to fly thousands of employees across the US to Lakehouse?

For every person who flies, KPMG pays a “tax“ to its internal sustainability efforts, Magee said, though she didn’t say how much this was.

The company knows how many employees are on-site at Lakehouse, so it adjusts factors like vehicle size and supplies to reduce waste, she added.

Some of KPMG’s gatherings are still virtual, but you need to bring employees together, and that means flying them somewhere, Magee said.

Do you have a story to share about your career as a consultant? Contact this reporter at pthompson@businessinsider.com or on Signal at Polly_Thompson.89.

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MVB Opens 2026 Season Saturday with Home Contest Versus Trine

Published

5 hours ago

January 3, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Ball State vs. Trine University
Last Meeting: Ball State 3, Trine 0 (1/5/2025)
Series History: Ball State leads the series 2-0
Match History – Trine
These teams met for the first time in 2024 as the Cardinals swept the Thunder (25-16, 25-20, 25-19), holding them at a .077 hitting percentage. In 2025, Ball State completed a sweep once more (25-13, 25-13, 25-13) and held Trine to a .085 hitting percentage. Patrick Rogers led the effort that afternoon, leading the team in kills (10), aces (3) and blocks (2).
Scouting Trine
Trine concluded the 2025 season 15-9 overall, including a record of 5-3 in the MCVL (Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League). The Thunder made it to the semifinals of the MCVL Tournament, falling 1-3 against eventual tournament champion Mount Union.

SETTING THE SCENE
HEAD COACH IANDOLO: Mike Iandolo was officially named the Cardinals’ head coach on Dec. 16, removing the interim label he had held since last June. After joining Ball State as an assistant coach prior to the 2022 season, Iandolo helped the men’s program to a 23-4 record, MIVA regular season and tournament titles, and its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2002, earning the No. 2 seed and a semifinal bye. Since 2022, Iandolo assisted the Cardinals to three 20-win seasons from 2022-24 and three MIVA regular season championships. His promotion ahead of the 2026 season marks the second head coaching role of his career, following a three-year stint at the University of Charleston (W.Va.).

NEW-LOOK COACHING STAFF: Head coach Iandolo is joined on the coaching staff by newly acquired assistant coaches Brian Hogg and Charles Norman who were announced to the program in August of 2025. Hogg comes to Ball State after earning two-straight IVA (Independent Volleyball Association) titles and IVA Coach of the Year honors as head coach at Lincoln Memorial from 2024-25, totaling a record of 45-6. Prior to Ball State, Norman helped the women’s team at Barry University to a 24-5 record in 2024 and led the men’s program during its inaugural season in 2025, ranking fourth in the nation in blocks.

NEW AND FAMILIAR FACES: The 2026 roster brings 11 well-known returners and seven exciting new additions. Ball State returners include team captains Griffin Satterfield, Wil Basilio, Patrick Rogers and Eyal Rawitz, as well as impactful standouts such as Lucas Machado, Ryan Louis, Braydon Savitski-Lynde, Will Patterson, Marty Canavan, Peter Zurawski and Jason Harris. Entering their first seasons with the program are freshmen Tyler Windt, Adir Ben Shloosh, Daniel Günther and Dante Cayaban as well as transfers Nicholas Everett, Jacob Surette, and 2023 national dig leader (3.56 per set) Victor Scherer.

2025 SEASON: The Cardinals finished 2025 with a record of 17-13 along with a 9-7 mark in conference play, ranking fifth in the MIVA. The men ranked third in the conference in blocks with 2.36 per set and points with 16.00 per set. The 2025 season saw Ball State record notable victories over ranked opponents, including #13 Stanford (3-0, Jan. 10), #14 Lewis (3-1, Feb. 13), #16 Ohio State (3-2, Feb. 27), #19 Penn State (3-2, March 15), and #10 McKendree (3-1, March 29). The season concluded as the Cardinals fell 3-2 to #4 Lewis in the MIVA Quarterfinals (April 19).

PRESEASON All-MIVA: Outside hitter Patrick Rogers and setter Lucas Machado earned 2026 Preseason All-MIVA honors, with Rogers leading conference voting to be named MIVA Preseason Player of the Year after recording a team-high 363 kills in his second season with the Cardinals while averaging 3.18 per set on a .271 hitting percentage, adding 65 total blocks and a team-leading 33 service aces. Following the 2025 season, Rogers was named All-MIVA first team and an AVCA All-American Honorable Mention, then spent the offseason with the U.S. National Team, winning gold at the 2025 NORCECA Final Six and earning tournament MVP honors, as well as capturing silver with the Men’s U23 National Team at the 2025 NORCECA Men’s U23 Pan American Cup. Machado totaled a team-best 771 assists in 2025, averaging 8.38 per set, posted a career-high 54 assists against Purdue Fort Wayne on Feb. 26, reached 40 or more assists seven times, and added 117 digs, 49 total blocks and 22 service aces.

AVCA PRESEASON POLL: Ball State enters the 2026 season ranked #16 in the AVCA National Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Preseason Poll with a total of 144 points. The Cardinals will match up against seven other ranked opponents in the season, including #1 UCLA, #7 Loyola Chicago, #9 Stanford, #12 Lewis, #14 Ohio State, #15 McKendree, and #19 George Mason.

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Sign Up for Volleyball Skills Training at Biltmore Hills Community Center

Published

5 hours ago

January 3, 2026

Your Sports Nation

This volleyball skills program is geared towards providing a safe environment where young athletes can develop their skills in volleyball!

We will also work on the importance of sportsmanship and how to behave in a team environment. The goal of this program is to prepare our athletes to compete at the highest level all while making it affordable and creating the best experience for our participants.

Location: Biltmore Hills
Date: Mondays and Wednesdays
Time: 7:30 – 8:45 p.m.
Ages: 10 – 14
Cost: $225 Monthly Fee / $30 Drop In
Register on RecLink

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Creighton volleyball gets Wisconsin player from transfer portal

Published

6 hours ago

January 3, 2026

Your Sports Nation

PAPIO AND WESTSIDE FACE OFF IN THE NIGHTCAP. CREIGHTON VOLLEYBALL ADDS ITS THIRD HIGH PROFILE TRANSFER OF THE OFFSEASON. TRINITY SCHAD SERIES. SHE’S AN OUTSIDE HITTER FROM WISCONSIN. SHE’S FROM ONTARIO, CANADA, AND IS A STANDOUT TRACK ATHLETE AS WELL. HOW ABOUT THIS GUY? SHE PARTICIPATED IN THE OLYMPIC TRIALS FOR CANADA IN THE LONG JUMP IN 2014. BRIAN ROSSEN SAYS HER EXPLOSIVENESS, A BIG ASSET AND QUITE TRA

Creighton volleyball adds Wisconsin outside hitter to its roster

Updated: 6:30 PM CST Jan 2, 2026

Editorial Standards ⓘ

Creighton volleyball added an outside hitter from the transfer portal.Trinity Shadd-Ceres has joined the Bluejays after helping Wisconsin to the Final Four last season.Shadd-Ceres played in nine matches with Wisconsin, totaling 12 kills, six digs, four assists, and two blocks.Eight of the Ontario, Canada, native’s kills came during the NCAA Tournament.The 5-foot-11 outside hitter is Creighton’s third high-profile transfer, joining Ayden Ames from Texas and Katie Dalton from Kansas.”Everyone we have talked to about Trinity says she is the best teammate and hardest worker, so she is going to fit right in here at Creighton,” said Creighton head coach Brian Rosen. “She may also be the best overall athlete in any sport to come through! Trinity is so explosive off the floor, has a great arm, and ability to play six rotations. With experience in the Final Four this season, she can handle the big moments. With Angie’s training, there is no limit to her potential and we are all so excited to get her in the gym this spring!” The Bluejays finished the 2025 season with a 28-6 record with their 14th straight NCAA Tournament appearance, 12 consecutive Big East regular season title, sixth Big East Tournament title, and second straight Elite Eight.Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |

OMAHA, Neb. —

Creighton volleyball added an outside hitter from the transfer portal.

Trinity Shadd-Ceres has joined the Bluejays after helping Wisconsin to the Final Four last season.

Shadd-Ceres played in nine matches with Wisconsin, totaling 12 kills, six digs, four assists, and two blocks.

Eight of the Ontario, Canada, native’s kills came during the NCAA Tournament.

The 5-foot-11 outside hitter is Creighton’s third high-profile transfer, joining Ayden Ames from Texas and Katie Dalton from Kansas.

“Everyone we have talked to about Trinity says she is the best teammate and hardest worker, so she is going to fit right in here at Creighton,” said Creighton head coach Brian Rosen. “She may also be the best overall athlete in any sport to come through! Trinity is so explosive off the floor, has a great arm, and ability to play six rotations. With experience in the Final Four this season, she can handle the big moments. With Angie’s training, there is no limit to her potential and we are all so excited to get her in the gym this spring!”

The Bluejays finished the 2025 season with a 28-6 record with their 14th straight NCAA Tournament appearance, 12 consecutive Big East regular season title, sixth Big East Tournament title, and second straight Elite Eight.

Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.

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Indoor track: Pioneer and Greenfield clash at PVIAC meet No. 3

Published

8 hours ago

January 3, 2026

Your Sports Nation

NORTHAMPTON — The Pioneer Valley Regional and Greenfield track and field teams faced off at Smith College in a Valley South matchup on Friday morning. The Green Wave boys delivered a 66-8 win over the Panthers. The Pioneer girls took a 46-41 win over Greenfield.

Pioneer’s Carter Berthiaume scored points for Pioneer and was first overall (5-8.0) in the high jump.

Mason Youmell grabbed a second place overall (8.33, PR) in the 55-hurdles for the Green Wave. Youmell took second overall (5-6.00) in the high jump as well. Youmell took the day off from the 600-meter event to participate in the relay. Shaving some seconds off his overall time in the 600-meter is a personal goal.

Mason Youmell of the Greenfield track and field team participates in a relay at Smith College, Friday in Northampton. Credit: RYAN AMES / Staff Photo

“I am really hoping to get 1:27 by the end of the season,” Youmell said. “That seems like a realistic goal. I’ve cut off seconds from all of my personal records. I’ve been doing better.”

In another personal best performance, Ryan Spofford placed second overall (2:57.35) in the 1000-meter.

Ryan Spofford of the Greenfield track and field team participates in the 1000-meter run at Smith College, Friday in Northampton. Credit: RYAN AMES / Staff Photo

For context, the overall winner (1:31.45) of the 600-meter event was Owen Platt of Amherst. Alex Scotera placed second overall (1:33.72) in the 600-meter for the Green Wave. The performance was a personal record for Scotera.

Dylan Breiwick placed fourth overall (3:05.23) in the 1000-meter for Greenfield. Breiwick also was fifth overall (5:07.87) in the mile for the Green Wave.

For the Pioneer girls, Harper Hake’s performances in distance events helped fuel the win over the Green Wave. In the mile, Hake scored and took seventh overall (6:29.79).

Harper Hake (left) of the Pioneer Valley Regional track and field team participates in the 600-meter run at Smith College, Friday in Northampton. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo

“I like where I am right now,” Hake said. “I am truing to get a sub six in the mile. I want to get a better time in the two mile too.”

To improve her time in distance events, Hake relies on good nutrition and does runs that are longer than her events. Hake was 10th overall (2:02.32) in the 600-meter. The performance was a personal record for the freshman. In the 2-mile, Hake placed third overall (14:30).

Kyra Tamsin led the charge for the Green Wave in the girls’ events. In the 55-hurdles, Tamsin took first overall (10.48, PR) for Greenfield. Tamsin set another personal record in the 300-meter, placing eighth overall (48.62.)

“My 300 and my 55 hurdles were good,” Tamsin said. “I want my numbers to improve. But as of right now they aren’t bad.”

Lucianne Burnap established a personal record in the 55-hurdles, finishing sixth overall (11.46) for the Panthers. In the field events, Gabby Warriner-Cardin scored points and placed eighth-overall (21-08.50) in the shot put for the Panthers.

Burnap and Addison Chapin both finished tied for fifth (4-4.0) in the high jump for Pioneer.

In the long jump, Holly Babineau scored points and placed eighth-overall (13-09.75) for the Green Wave.

Boys track & field

Athol 27, Commerce 23 — The Bears downed the Raiders in Valley South competition. Elijah Etienne scored points and placed tied for seventh (32-10.50) in the shot put for the Bears.

John Blanchard took 14th overall (2:02.36) in the 600-meter event.

Frontier 41, Mohawk 35 — Ezra Rich’s first place performance in the shot put helped the Redhawks get past the Warriors in Valley North play.

Luke Howard placed second (2:45.76) in the 1000-meter for the Redhawks.

Tanner Biagini placed first overall in the 300-meter for Mohawk. Biagini also scored and placed ninth (6.94) in the 55-meter for the Warriors. Rex Kuoppala placed fourth overall (5:02.19) in the mile.

Peter Healey (11:14.57, third) and Carson Richardson (11:34.70, fourth) impressed in the 2-mile for the Warriors.

Mahar 51, Southwick 22 — The Senators ran past the Rams in Valley North competition.

Danny Quigley was eighth overall (39.18) in the 300-meter for the Senators. Ronnie Stone scored points and placed 15th overall (4-10.0) in the high jump.

Girls track & field

Athol 52, Commerce 1 — In Valley South competition, the Bears cruised past the Raiders. Emily Abram snagged a personal record in the shot put, finishing sixth overall (22-3.25) for Athol.

Mahar 40, Southwick 22 — Stellina Moore helped the Senators to a win over the Rams in Valley North play.

Moore finished tied for fourth overall (14-03.5) in the long jump and tied for third (4-8.0) in the high jump. Moore added a third place finish (9.98) in the 55-hurdles.

Madilyn Moore scored in the shot put for the Senators, finishing seventh (25 feet) overall.

Frontier 78, Mohawk 13 —The Redhawks defeated the Warriors in Valley North competition.

Louise Flagollet placed third in the 300-meter for the Redhawks. Louise Flagollet also took second overall (4-10.0) in the high jump. Phoebe Radner was seventh overall (1:58.44) in the 600-meter. Liv Christensen placed (14:19.49) in the 2-mile for Frontier. Emmanuelle Flagollet took second (9.55) in the 55-hurdles and fourth in the long jump (14-03.50).

Virginia Krezmien scored some points and placed sixth overall (3:40.32) in the 1000-meter for Mohawk. In the mile, Krezmien placed second overall (6:05.67).

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LSU Beach Volleyball Announces the Addition of Two Transfers – LSU

Published

9 hours ago

January 3, 2026

Your Sports Nation

BATON ROUGE – LSU Beach Volleyball coach Russell Brock has announced the addition of two transfers – Emily Hellmuth and Zayna Meyer – who will join the Tigers for the upcoming season.

Hellmuth and Meyer come to LSU as grad transfers. The Tigers return 11 players from last year’s team. These two transfers join LSU in addition to six freshmen.

“Really excited about our two additions for this spring,” Brock said. “They are both athletic players with good size and great skills and are excited about the transition to beach. Both, are decorated indoor players who have been seasoned leaders for their teams. Their work ethic, positive attitudes and excitement will be fantastic additions to our culture and our team this year. Couldn’t be more excited to add them to our family.”

Hellmuth comes to LSU after a great four-year career playing indoor volleyball at Pepperdine and Texas A&M University. During her time playing indoor, she was a lethal outside hitter with over 1,000 career kills. Three of her four seasons she recorded at least 300 kills and during a match in her final season, she recorded a career high .667 hitting percentage. As a senior last year, Hellmuth helped lead the Aggies to the NCAA National Championship Title with 72 digs, 45 blocks, 12 aces and eight assists.

“Emily has been tested as a passer and has great skills as a blocker and hitter. Her offensive ability will transition really well to the sand. She’s faced the biggest challenges under the brightest lights and has excelled in those moments.”

Meyer is coming to LSU following a four-year career playing indoor volleyball in which she finished her final season at UCLA with a total of 187 assists, 62 digs and 11 blocks. During the 2023 season, Meyer was named Big West Setter of the Year while playing indoor at Long Beach State and averaged 10 assists per set.

“Zayna is quick and springy. As one of the elite offensive setters in the country, she brings excellent control of the ball both as a setter and a hitter. Her ability to play above the net will also be a great asset defensively.”

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Volleyball Adds Wisconsin Transfer Trinity Shadd-Ceres

Published

10 hours ago

January 3, 2026

Your Sports Nation

OMAHA, Neb. — Wisconsin outside hitter Trinity Shadd-Ceres has signed to join the Creighton Volleyball program later this month. Shadd-Ceres is Creighton’s third high-profile transfer this winter, joining Ayden Ames (Texas) and Katie Dalton (Kansas).

Shadd-Ceres played in nine matches for Wisconsin’s Final Four team in 2025, finishing the season with 12 kills, six digs, four assists and two blocks. Eight of her 12 kills came during the NCAA Tournament, including four kills in the First Round vs. Eastern Illinois on Dec. 4th and three more in a Regional Final win at Texas on Dec. 14th.

That came after Shadd-Ceres played in four matches as a freshman in 2024, starting two. She finished her rookie campaign with 10 kills, seven digs and three blocks in four matches played. Among her teammates in 2024 was current Bluejay defensive specialist Saige Damrow.

The 5-foot-11 native of Ontario, Canada, was named the Senior Female Volleyball Athlete of the Year in 2023 and a member of Team Canada’s U19 Women’s National Team. She was also a track standout before enrolling at Wisconsin, as she was named Junior Female Track & Field Athlete of the Year in 2022 and Senior Female Athlete of the Year in 2023. She also partcipated in Canada’s Olympic Trials in the Long Jump in 2024.

Creighton finished the 2025 season with a 28-6 record, appearing in its 14th straight NCAA Tournament, winning its 12th consecutive BIG EAST regular-season title, earning sixth BIG EAST Tournament title in a row and reaching its second straight Elite Eight.

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