The reigning national runner-up Warhawk volleyball team is ready to kick off the 2025 campaign this weekend with a trip to Newport News, Virginia. 

The Warhawks are coming off of a year that featured a 31-4 record, a run to the national title match, a NCAA Regional Championship and the program's third consecutive Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament title. UWW is ranked second in the preseason poll released by the American Volleyball Coaches Association and are picked to finish second in the WIAC. 

UW-Whitewater's 2025 squad is headlined by returning All-American setter Aubrie Krzus (Wheaton, Ill./Warrenville South) and 2024 national blocks leader Abbie Dix (Brodhead, Wis./Brodhead). Krzus, the 2023 WIAC Newcomer of the Year and a First Team All-WIAC pick a season ago, ranked 12th in total assists (1,177) in Division III a season ago. She was also third in the league with 112 total blocks. Dix, a middle hitter, has been a nightmare for opposing hitters the last two seasons. The 2024 Honorable Mention All-WIAC selection led the nation in blocks per set (1.59) and total blocks (181) - a UWW season record. She was also the most efficient attacker in the conference posting a .338 attack percentage over the course of the season. 

Two of the team's top servers, Emma Bludgen (Aurora, Ill./Metea Valley) and Rylee Braunschweig (Sussex, Wis./Sussex Hamilton) return to the court this season. Bludgen, a senior who has held setter and defensive specialist roles during the course of her collegiate career, will add outside hitter duties to her repertoire in her final season as a Warhawk. Bludgen tallied 31 aces in 26 matches played in 2024. Braunschweig appeared in all 35 matches for UWW last season, registering 26 service aces. 

Chloe Werner (Waterford, Wis./Waterford Union) is back for a second year as an attacking option on the right side. The senior posted 158 kills and 66 blocks in 26 matches played a season ago. Also returning to the squad this season are junior right side Emily Lego (Rock Falls, Ill./Rock Falls) and sophomore middle hitter Amanda Hillmann (Cedarburg, Wis./Kettle Moraine Lutheran).

Meanwhile, 13 new faces will don Warhawk jerseys this season. The position breakdown of the 13 freshmen includes: four defensive specialists, two setters, two outside hitters, two middles, two right sides and a dual position outside/middle. 

The Warhawks will be led by head coach Stacy Boudreau who is entering her 20th season at UWW. Boudreau, who eclipsed the 600 win milestone last season, is one of the best in the sport. The longtime coach is the 8th winningest active coach in Division III and is ranked 25th among active coaches across all divisions with a 77.7 win rate. She is ranked 14th all-time in Division III in win percentage. 

UWW kicks off the 2025 slate at an invitational hosted by Christopher Newport. The Warhawks will open the season against #21 CNU Friday at 7 PM followed by a pair of matches Saturday against US Coast Guard Academy and Catholic University. The Warhawks return to Whitewater to host their first invitational of the season on September 5. UWW will take on Concordia (Wis.) and Pacific Lutheran Friday followed by matchups with Elmhurst and Berry Saturday.