Skip to main contentSkip to main content
You have permission to edit this collection.
Edit
Lake Geneva News
30°
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • user icon Guest
  • Logout
Read Today's E-edition
  • News
    • Local
    • State & Regional
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • National
    • Business
    • World
    • Multimedia
    • Markets & Stocks
    • News Tip
  • Obituaries
    • Share a story
    • Recent Obituaries
    • Find an Obituary
    • Archives
  • Opinion
    • Submit a letter
    • Letters
    • Editorial
    • Guest/Columnists
  • Sports
    • High School
    • College
    • Professional
  • Resorter
    • Event Calendar
    • Music
    • Movies
    • Television
  • Lifestyles
    • Welcome Home
    • Food & Cooking
    • Health & Fitness
    • Contests
    • Puzzmo
  • Feast and Field
    • Partners
  • Brand Ave. Studios
  • Print Edition
    • E-edition
    • Welcome Home
    • Special Sections
  • Buy & Sell
    • Place an Ad
    • Jobs
    • Marketplace
    • Wisconsin Public Notices
    • Shop Local
  • Customer Service
    • Manage Subscription
    • Activate Digital Subscription
    • Newsletters
    • Subscribe
    • Contact us
    • Help Center
  • Gift Subscriptions
  • Mobile Apps
  • Weather: Live Radar
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
© 2026 Lee Enterprises
Terms of Service | Privacy Policy
Lake Geneva News
News+
Where your story lives
Subscribe
Read Today's E-edition
Lake Geneva News
News+
Where your story lives
Subscribe
  • Log In
  • user icon
    Welcome, Guest
    • My Subscription
      Help Center
    • My Account
    • Dashboard
    • Profile
    • Saved items
    • Logout
  • E-edition
  • News
  • Obituaries
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Resorter
  • Puzzmo
  • Lifestyles
  • Public Notices
  • Jobs
  • 30° Partly Cloudy
Share This
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • SMS
  • Email
Relive Wisconsin volleyball's 2021 national championship run
Share this
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • SMS
  • Email
  • Print
  • Save

Relive Wisconsin volleyball's 2021 national championship run

  • Dec 17, 2025
  • Dec 17, 2025 Updated Dec 27, 2025

Wisconsin volleyball earned its first national championship in 2021 by defeating Louisville in the semifinals then Nebraska in the finals. A look back at our coverage of the Badgers' run.

(20) updates to this series since Updated Dec 27, 2025

Wisconsin volleyball team advances to its third straight Final Four

Wisconsin volleyball team advances to its third straight Final Four

The Badgers swept Big Ten rival Minnesota to advance to the national semifinals for the third straight tear and fifth time in program history.

Jim Polzin: Meet Izzy, the 8-year-old ‘little sister’ who inspires the Wisconsin volleyball team

Jim Polzin: Meet Izzy, the 8-year-old ‘little sister’ who inspires the Wisconsin volleyball team

Dana Rettke said she is “really thankful for the bond” she’s developed with the young fan. And Izzy’s mother said the Badgers have boosted the self-confidence of the girl, who sometimes struggles with being “different.”  

Watch now: Wisconsin volleyball super-fan Izzy Eaton surprises Badgers in Columbus

Watch now: Wisconsin volleyball super-fan Izzy Eaton surprises Badgers in Columbus

8-year-old Izzy Eaton made the trip to Columbus for Thursday's Final Four.

High five: Badgers go distance and will play for NCAA volleyball title

High five: Badgers go distance and will play for NCAA volleyball title

UW knocks out top-seeded and previously unbeaten Louisville in the national semifinals.

Watch now: Wisconsin volleyball players celebrate Final Four win by singing ‘Varsity’

Watch now: Wisconsin volleyball players celebrate Final Four win by singing ‘Varsity’

The fourth-ranked University of Wisconsin volleyball team defeated the Louisville Cardinals 25-23, 15-25, 25-21, 23-25, 15-9 in the NCAA natio…

Jim Polzin: Lauren Barnes' battle to keep balls alive helps Wisconsin volleyball earn national title shot

Jim Polzin: Lauren Barnes' battle to keep balls alive helps Wisconsin volleyball earn national title shot

The fifth-year senior libero finished with a game-high 19 digs as the Badgers outlasted the Louisville Cardinals in a marathon five-set Final Four match to advance to the NCAA final on Saturday. 

How lineup changes helped lead Wisconsin and Nebraska to volleyball's national championship match

How lineup changes helped lead Wisconsin and Nebraska to volleyball's national championship match

Wisconsin has won seven straight volleyball matches against Nebraska. Here's why No. 8 will be so much tougher for the Badgers.

Jim Polzin: Why Nebraska is the perfect opponent for Wisconsin in the national championship match

Jim Polzin: Why Nebraska is the perfect opponent for Wisconsin in the national championship match

This is how it should be — if Wisconsin wants its first national volleyball championship, it must beat a team it knows oh so well, writes columnist Jim Polzin.

Watch now: Wisconsin volleyball gets the red-carpet treatment upon its arrival for the NCAA title match

Watch now: Wisconsin volleyball gets the red-carpet treatment upon its arrival for the NCAA title match

The fourth-ranked University of Wisconsin volleyball team arrives for its matchup with the 10th-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers in the NCAA champi…

National champions: Wisconsin volleyball beats Nebraska in 5-set thriller to claim first title

National champions: Wisconsin volleyball beats Nebraska in 5-set thriller to claim first title

The Badgers volleyball team captured the first national championship in program history with a thrilling five-set victory over Big Ten rival Nebraska in the NCAA final in Columbus, Ohio.

Watch now: Wisconsin volleyball celebrates its national title

Watch now: Wisconsin volleyball celebrates its national title

The University of Wisconsin volleyball team defeated the Nebraska Cornhuskers in a thrilling five-set NCAA title match to win the program's fi…

Jim Polzin: With power, finesse and resiliency, Wisconsin volleyball earns elusive title

Jim Polzin: With power, finesse and resiliency, Wisconsin volleyball earns elusive title

The Badgers' title was a long time coming for the team's stars — and those who came before them. "This team stands on the shoulders of the alums that have come before them," coach Kelly Sheffield said.

Watch now: Wisconsin volleyball players hoist the NCAA title trophy while confetti falls

Watch now: Wisconsin volleyball players hoist the NCAA title trophy while confetti falls

The University of Wisconsin volleyball team defeated the Nebraska Cornhuskers in a thrilling five-set NCAA title match to win the program's fi…

Fans welcome back Wisconsin volleyball team after national title win

Fans welcome back Wisconsin volleyball team after national title win

Fans filled the UW Field House to celebrate the Badgers' national championship victory over Nebraska. 

NCAA champion Badgers volleyball players celebrate with their fans

NCAA champion Badgers volleyball players celebrate with their fans

Athletic director Chris McIntosh says the Badgers "represent our university in a first-class way."

Watch now: Wisconsin volleyball gets the red-carpet treatment upon its arrival for the NCAA title match

Watch now: Wisconsin volleyball gets the red-carpet treatment upon its arrival for the NCAA title match

The fourth-ranked University of Wisconsin volleyball team arrives for its matchup with the 10th-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers in the NCAA champi…

Watch now: Wisconsin volleyball players hoist the NCAA title trophy while confetti falls

Watch now: Wisconsin volleyball players hoist the NCAA title trophy while confetti falls

The University of Wisconsin volleyball team defeated the Nebraska Cornhuskers in a thrilling five-set NCAA title match to win the program's fi…

NCAA champion Badgers volleyball players celebrate with their fans

NCAA champion Badgers volleyball players celebrate with their fans

Athletic director Chris McIntosh says the Badgers "represent our university in a first-class way."

Watch now: Wisconsin volleyball players celebrate Final Four win by singing ‘Varsity’

Watch now: Wisconsin volleyball players celebrate Final Four win by singing ‘Varsity’

The fourth-ranked University of Wisconsin volleyball team defeated the Louisville Cardinals 25-23, 15-25, 25-21, 23-25, 15-9 in the NCAA natio…

Watch now: Wisconsin volleyball players hoist the NCAA title trophy while confetti falls

Watch now: Wisconsin volleyball players hoist the NCAA title trophy while confetti falls

The University of Wisconsin volleyball team defeated the Nebraska Cornhuskers in a thrilling five-set NCAA title match to win the program's fi…

Locations

  • Madison
  • Wisconsin

As featured on

Polzin: Wisconsin volleyball an underdog? Not if you ask the Badgers

Polzin: Wisconsin volleyball an underdog? Not if you ask the Badgers

Charlie Fuerbringer and others believed from the start that this group had Final Four potential. But some adversity along the way made Kelly Sheffield's team stronger. 

Polzin: Wisconsin volleyball talking points from NCAA semifinal loss to Kentucky

Polzin: Wisconsin volleyball talking points from NCAA semifinal loss to Kentucky

Columnist Jim Polzin shares his thoughts after the Badgers' stellar season comes to an end just short of the NCAA championship match. 

Wisconsin volleyball loses part-time starter to transfer portal

Wisconsin volleyball loses part-time starter to transfer portal

The Badgers coaching staff praised the ability of this freshman to step in for an injured All-American.

Wisconsin volleyball loses key playoff contributor to transfer portal

Wisconsin volleyball loses key playoff contributor to transfer portal

The fifth Badgers player announced she's entering the transfer portal, and she played a big role down the stretch this season.

Wisconsin volleyball lands California outside hitter from transfer portal

Wisconsin volleyball lands California outside hitter from transfer portal

The Badgers added a powerful outside hitter to their lineup from the transfer portal.

Former Wisconsin volleyball setter finds new home

Former Wisconsin volleyball setter finds new home

The first Badgers player to enter the transfer portal has found a new program. Here are the details.

Lake Geneva News
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram

Sites & Partners

  • Submission Forms
  • Place an Ad
  • Calendar
  • Rack Locations
  • Search
  • Weather

Services

  • E-edition
  • Email Newsletters
  • Customer Service
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Work Here
  • Dealer Returns
© Copyright 2026 Lake Geneva News, 315 Broad St. Lake Geneva, WI 53147
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Advertising Terms of Use | Do Not Sell My Info | Cookie Preferences
Powered by BLOX Content Management System from bloxdigital.com.
  • Notifications
  • Settings
You don't have any notifications.

Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device.

Topics

Breaking News

News Alerts

You are logged in
 Switch accounts
Secure transaction. Cancel anytime. Have an account? Log In

Sign Up

Account processing issue - the email address may already exist

User information
This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely!
Your email address will be used to confirm your account. We won't share it with anyone else.
Create a password that only you will remember. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address.
Confirm your password.
Have an account? Log In

You're all set!

Thank you .

Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.

Check your email for details.

OK

Log In

Invalid password or account does not exist

Forgot your password?
Email me a log in link
Admin login Subscribe
Need an account? Sign Up

Reset Password

Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.

Forgot Password

An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.

Email me a log in link

Promotional Offers

No promotional rates found.

Purchase Gift Purchase Access

An error occurred

Secure & Encrypted

What's your email address?
What's your name?
Who is this gift for?
Who is this gift from?
Delivery date
What's your billing location?
What's your delivery address?
Subtotal:
Total:
How would you like to pay?
Add New Card

Secure transaction. Secure transaction. Cancel anytime.

You're all set!

Thank you.

Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.

A receipt was sent to your email.

OK

An error occurred

This offer is currently unavailable.