MADISON – Wisconsin volleyball has answered one of its biggest positional needs ahead of the 2026 season.
Italian libero Anna Bardaro has signed with Badgers, she announced April 22 with an Instagram post.
Bardaro, who will be 21 years old by the time the 2026 season starts, has international experience competing for Italy’s U21 team. That included a match with 22 digs against Japan in the semifinals of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s U21 World Championship.
The 5-foot-10 libero also competed for the Imoco Volleyball Conegliano club from 2023-25. She was on Cuneo Granda Volley’s 2026 roster. She has been on teams that have won Italian Cup, Italian Super Cup, CEV Women’s Champions League and World Club Championship titles.
“She is a very good passer and experienced libero,” UW coach Kelly Sheffield said in a release. “It’s a position that we’ve looked to bulk up our depth, and she certainly helps that. She will be joining us early this summer, which will be huge in her working her way into our team and culture.”
Bardaro joins 2025 starter Kristen Simon as the two liberos on the Badgers’ 2026 roster. UW lost Maile Chan and Aniya Warren after the season to the transfer portal.
“Can’t wait to see you in Wisconsin,” Bardaro said in the Instagram reel. “”Excited to be a Badger.”
Other offseason additions included Florida transfer Jaela Auguste, UC-Santa Barbara transfer Eva Travis and incoming freshmen Halle Thompson, Audrey Flanagan, Lynney Tarnow, Kymora Scott and Jane Manecke.
The only one of those newcomers who is not already on campus is Manecke, who verbally committed to the Badgers in March and officially signed in April.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin volleyball adds 2026 recruit, Italian libero Anna Bardaro
Reporting by John Steppe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
