Wisconsin Badgers volleyballers getting national recognition

(UW ATHLETICS) – Jaela Auguste and Chalie Fuerbringer of the Wisconsin volleyball team have been named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association Player of the Year Watch List, announced by the AVCA Thursday afternoon.

Auguste and Fuerbringer are 1-of-30 student-athletes named to the watch list. The 30 athletes have and will be revealed over the course of three days, and started with the first group on Wednesday, July 29.

After spending two seasons at Florida, Auguste comes in experienced and highly decorated for the Badger Red and White. In 2025, the 6-foot-2 middle blocker was named AVCA Third Team All-American and All-SEC First Team. In her freshman season, she was named SEC Freshman of the Year and AVCA All-Southeast Region Freshman of the Year. She averaged 2.69 kills per set, 0.98 blocks per set and added 3.50 points per set a season ago.

Due to not competing in enough matches to qualify for AVCA honors in 2025, setter Charlie Fuerbringer will look to put together another All-American season earned freshman year. The Hermosa Beach, Calif. native averaged 12.34 assists per set, 2.57 digs per set, and added 0.78 kills per set. Last season, Fuerbringer was named First Team All-Big Ten and a four-time Big Ten Setter of the Week.

In program history, two Badgers have been named AVCA National Player of the Year in Dana Rettke in 2021 and Sarah Franklin in 2023. Last season, outside hitter Mimi Colyer was named a Finalist.

Throughout the course of the season, the Watch List will add athletes to the list in October, followed by Semifinalists in November, Finalists in December and the reveal of Player of that Year in San Antonio at the AVCA Awards Banquet on December 18.

2026 AVCA Division I Player of the Year Watch List

First Group Announced – July 29

Second Group Announced – July 30