The Wisconsin Badgers volleyball team has only lost one conference game all year and it is pretty easy to see why when you look at the recruits they are able to bring in on a regular basis.
The class of 2020 for the volleyball squad consists of: M.J. Hammill (Greenwood, Ind.), Jade Demps (Raleigh, N.C.) and Devyn Robinson (Ankeny, Iowa)
Happy to have 3️⃣ new Badgers join our @BadgerVB family! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/KMa3mFI7am
— Brittany Dildine (@BrittDildine) November 13, 2019
Kelly Sheffield and his staff brought in the three top-30 recruits who signed their national letter of intent on Wednesday. “I really like this class a lot,” said Sheffield. “All three absolutely love to compete. They don’t flinch and they don’t back down in big moments. All three of them are very confident in themselves but they all are extremely driven to learn and get better.”
Coach Sheffield went on to say, “They’ve all had coaches around them that have pushed them and helped them develop. They also have personalities that people are drawn to. I think Badger fans are really going to enjoy watching this group.”
The Badgers will be losing a handful of major contributors next year, including libero Tiffany Clark, defensive specialist M.E. Dodge and outside hitter Madison Duello so there may be a spot in the rotation for a freshman to take.
With that being said, let’s take a look at what each player will bring to the team next year, courtesy of the UW Athletic Department.
- Devyn Robinson
6-2 • Middle Blocker • Ankeny, Iowa • Ankeny Centennial High School • Coach Jessica Rinehart
Iowa Powerplex Volleyball Club • Keke Palea
“Devyn has the potential to be a big-time player for us. She wants to own the net, which is a mentality that every great blocker must have. She can hit first, second, and third tempo and off of one or two feet. I can see her in the middle or on the right for us.” - KPS pic.twitter.com/Ypv92krcrO
— Wisconsin Volleyball (@BadgerVB) November 13, 2019
-Ranked No. 14 on PrepVolleyball Senior Aces
-Member of the 2018 and 2019 USA Volleyball Girls Youth National Team; won gold medals at the 2018 NORCECA Championship in Honduras and 2019 World Under 18 Championships in Egypt; Named Best Blocker in the 2019 tournament
-2016 and 2018 Iowa State Class 5A champions
-Earned all-state tournament honors in 2017 and 2018
-2019 All-USA Preseason Volleyball Team
-Holds high school record for most blocks in a season
- MJ Hammill
6-0 • Setter • Greenwood, Ind. • Center Grove High School • Coach Chris Due
Munciana Volleyball Club • Mike Lingenfelter
“MJ is a very mature, focused, and driven competitor. People love playing with her and for her. One of the traits that great setters have is the ability to make those around them better, and MJ has that.” - KPS pic.twitter.com/t66VYbQhN6
— Wisconsin Volleyball (@BadgerVB) November 13, 2019
-Ranked No. 30 on PrepVolleyball Senior Aces
-2019 Ultra Ankle JVA All-National Team
-Three-time first-team All-State
-Two-time County Player of the Year
-Has more than 3,500 assists and 1,000 digs in her career; also adds more than 150 aces and 500 kills
-Aided Center Grove High School to a semifinal appearance in the 2019 Indiana State Tournament
-Earned Academic All-State and Academic All-Conference honors
- Jade Demps
6-2 • Outside Hitter • Raleigh, N.C. • Broughton High School • Coach Drew Hermanson
NC Volleyball Academy Coach • Keisha Demps
“Jade is a beast. She’s got a heavy arm and is someone who hits with power. She’s a really nice athlete and was a Track and Field All-American in the Pentathlon. I can see her on the left or right here.” - KPS pic.twitter.com/WxIsVj683r
— Wisconsin Volleyball (@BadgerVB) November 13, 2019
-Ranked No. 13 on PrepVolleyball Senior Aces
-2018-19 USA Volleyball Girls Youth National Training Team
-2017, 2018 and 2019 PrepVolleyball All-American
-2018 AVCA North Carolina Player of the Year
-2018 Gatorade State Player of the Year Finalist
-2019 Ultra Ankle JVA All-National Team
-2017 and 2018 Ultra Ankle JVA All-American
-2017, 2018 and 2019 Conference Player of the Year
-Two-Time High School Female Athlete of the Year
-Earned USATF All-American honors in the high jump and pentathlon