Wisconsin volleyball filled a major 2026 roster need on Wednesday when Italian libero Anna Bardaro signed with the Badgers.
As reported by John Steppe of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Bardaro is a 5-foot-10 libero who will turn 21 by the start of the 2026 season and brings high-level international experience to Madison after competing for Italy’s U21 team. She posted 22 digs against Japan in the semifinals of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s U21 World Championship.
Bardaro also played for the Imoco Volleyball Conegliano club from 2023 to 2025, with her teams winning titles in the Italian Cup, Italian Super Cup, CEV Women’s Champions League, and World Club Championship. She was on Cuneo Granda Volley’s 2026 roster. Bardaro said in an Instagram reel, “Can’t wait to see you in Wisconsin.” She added, “Excited to be a Badger.”
Her addition gives coach Kelly Sheffield the needed depth at a specialist position where Wisconsin previously had only 2025 starter Kristen Simon on the 2026 roster. Bardaro joins Simon as the two liberos after UW lost Maile Chan and Aniya Warren to the transfer portal after the season.
Wisconsin also added Florida transfer Jaela Auguste and UC-Santa Barbara transfer Eva Travis, plus incoming freshmen Halle Thompson, Audrey Flanagan, Lynney Tarnow, Kymora Scott, and Jane Manecke. Manecke verbally committed in March and signed in April, and she is the only newcomer not already on campus.
Next, Wisconsin will sort out the back-row rotation around Simon and Bardaro as the offseason additions blend into the roster heading toward 2026.
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin Volleyball adds 2026 Recruit Anna Bardaro from Italy
