Wisconsin Volleyball Welcomes Alyssa Konrad, Completes 2026 Roster

MADISON – The Wisconsin Badgers volleyball team has finalized its roster for the 2026 season by signing Alyssa Konrad, a former standout from Madison Memorial. The announcement was made on June 18, confirming that the 5-foot-10 libero/defensive specialist is set to join the squad.

Konrad showcased her skills during a recent prospect camp at the University of Wisconsin, where head coach Kelly Sheffield drew parallels between her journey and that of Rudy Ruettiger, the subject of the iconic 1993 film “Rudy.” “Her plan was to go to college here,” Sheffield stated in a conversation with the Journal Sentinel. “Then we received a call from one of her coaches saying, ‘Hey, she’s going to school there. If you have a spot, she might be a great fit.’”

During the camp, Konrad's performance stood out, with Sheffield noting that she was “probably the talk of the camp” due to her defensive prowess. “Defensively she really made just play after play after play,” he added.

As a captain and a three-time all-conference player at Madison Memorial, Konrad also played for the Madtown Juniors club team. Expressing her excitement about joining the Badgers, she remarked, “I always looked up to the players and resonated with the culture of this program. It’s a dream come true to play at the place that had a huge impact on my volleyball career.”

With Konrad filling the 18th spot on the roster, she joins a libero group that includes sophomore Kristen Simon and international recruit Anna Bardaro. Sheffield emphasized the importance of every player contributing to the team’s success, stating, “You want every single player on your team to give more than they take.”

Konrad becomes one of three Wisconsin natives on the roster for 2026, alongside Madison Quest from Pewaukee and Morgan Van Wie from Waunakee. “Any time that you can get a hometown kid that stays here, it’s really cool,” Sheffield commented.