Wisconsin promotes West Aurora alum Lauren Carlini to assistant coach

Wisconsin volleyball head coach Kelly Sheffield has announced Lauren Carlini, the West Aurora High School graduate who served as an offensive analyst and strategy consultant last season, has been promoted to full-time assistant coach. Associate head coach Gary White has been elevated to director of player personnel and analytics, and the Badgers also added John Shondell as an assistant coach.

Carlini is one of the most decorated athletes in program history — a four-time AVCA All-American, collected numerous Big Ten honors including back-to-back seasons as Big Ten Setter of the Year and named Big Ten Player of the Year in 2014. In 2024 Carlini also was named to the 2024 Paris Olympic roster where she helped the U.S. to a silver medal.

“I’m fired up to have Lauren’s voice much more involved in practices and matches,” Sheffield said. “Her role last year didn’t allow her to have much interaction with the players on the court. She has so much to offer and it’s great for all of us to have her more involved.”