Breaking: Wisconsin volleyball libero Maile Chan enters transfer portal after Final Four exit
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Wisconsin volleyball libero Maile Chan enters transfer portal after Final Four exit
- 2. Key facts at a glance
- 3. What this means for Wisconsin
- 4. Evergreen context: the transfer portal in college volleyball
- 5. Have your say
- 6. 2025, the University of Wisconsin athletics department posted a statement confirming that senior libero Maile Chan had entered the NCAA transfer portal.
- 7. Final Four Heartbreak: What Went Wrong for Wisconsin Badgers
- 8. Maile Chan’s Decision to Enter the Transfer Portal
- 9. Immediate Impact on Wisconsin’s Libero Position and Depth Chart
- 10. Transfer Portal Trends: How Badgers’ Depth Woes Mirror national Patterns
- 11. potential Destinations for Maile Chan
- 12. Strategies Wisconsin Can Use to Mitigate depth Loss
- 13. FAQ: Transfer Portal and wisconsin Volleyball
Sophomore libero Maile chan has announced she is entering the transfer portal, marking the third Wisconsin volleyball player to depart since the Badgers‘ season ended with a Final Four loss to Kentucky.
Chan posted the news on Instagram on December 19, 2025, the first day after Wisconsin was eliminated from the NCAA tournament in five sets. The move further thins a Wisconsin roster that already saw two other libero/DS teammates enter the portal on the same day.
In 2025, Chan appeared in 21 sets for Wisconsin and recorded 20 career digs. She contributed as a defensive specialist and served on occasion, following 17 sets of action as a freshman in 2024. Her exit leaves Wisconsin with limited libero depth heading into the 2026 season, where Kristen Simon would be the only libero with remaining eligibility after Chan’s departure.
chan wrote, “I’ll hold thes memories and girls in the deepest part of my heart. I love you guys more than words can say.”
The transfer window runs through January 5, giving the Badgers’ program time to adjust the roster for 2026. The news comes on the heels of announcements by setter Addy Horner and libero/defensive specialist Aniya Warren to enter the transfer portal, all coming on the first day after Wisconsin’s season-ending Final Four loss to Kentucky.
Key facts at a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Player | Maile Chan |
| Position | libero/defensive specialist |
| Class | Sophomore |
| 2025 Sets | 21 |
| Career Digs | 20 |
| Freshman Sets (2024) | 17 |
| Transfer Announcement | Dec. 19, 2025 |
| Portal Window Ends | Jan. 5, 2026 |
| Team | Wisconsin Badgers |
| Context | Following Final Four loss to Kentucky |
What this means for Wisconsin
The departure of Chan, along with Aniya Warren and Addy Horner, leaves Wisconsin with a thinner pool at libero heading into next season. With only Kristen Simon slated to have libero eligibility in 2026, the Badgers will likely rely on incoming players from their 2026 recruiting class, which features two outside hitters and two middle blockers, to replenish depth.
Evergreen context: the transfer portal in college volleyball
Player movements through the transfer portal have accelerated in recent seasons, reshaping rosters nationwide. For programs like Wisconsin, portal activity underscores the need for continual depth development and strategic recruiting, alongside cultivating a strong locker-room culture that can adapt to turnover. As teams rebuild, the balance between experienced players and emerging talent often determines year-to-year competitiveness.
For more on transfer policies and how they affect college athletics,see the NCAA’s official guidance on transfers and the portal,as well as league and school resources.
NCAA transfer portal overview • NCAA Women’s Volleyball • Wisconsin Badgers Women’s Volleyball
Have your say
How should Wisconsin approach replenishing libero depth next season? What impact do you expect from transfer portal activity on the team’s national competitiveness?
Share your thoughts in the comments below and compatible social channels.Do you think the Badgers can build a durable rotation with current players and new recruits?
Follow this story for updates as Wisconsin reshapes its roster ahead of the 2026 season.
2025, the University of Wisconsin athletics department posted a statement confirming that senior libero Maile Chan had entered the NCAA transfer portal.
Final Four Heartbreak: What Went Wrong for Wisconsin Badgers
- Scoreline recap: Wisconsin fell 3‑1 to Louisville in the National semifinals, surrendering a 13‑point lead in the third set.
- Key stats: The Badgers hit .216 committing 22 errors, while the libero rotation recorded a career‑low 1.2 digs per set.
- Post‑game reaction: Head coach Jeffrey Kinsley cited “inconsistent back‑row play” and “depth fatigue” as primary contributors to the loss.
Maile Chan’s Decision to Enter the Transfer Portal
- Official declaration: On December 8, 2025, the University of Wisconsin athletics department posted a statement confirming that senior libero Maile Chan had entered the NCAA transfer portal.
- Player’s perspective: In a brief interview with ESPN Volleyball (Dec 9, 2025), Chan explained, “After the Final four, I realized I need a programme where I can finish my career with a clear path to a starting libero role and compete for a national title.”
- Eligibility timeline: Chan retains her remaining two seasons of eligibility and will be able to compete immediately if she enrolls at a Division I school that meets transfer requirements.
Immediate Impact on Wisconsin’s Libero Position and Depth Chart
- Primary libero vacancy – Chan was the starting libero for the past three seasons, averaging 3.4 digs per set.
- Backup scramble – Junior libero Ana Mendoza (career‑high 2.6 digs per set) is expected to assume the starting role, but lacks extensive tournament experience.
- recruiting gap – The 2025 recruiting class did not include a high‑profile libero, leaving the Badgers with limited internal options.
| Position | Current player | 2025 Stats (Digs/Set) | Projected Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Libero (starter) | Ana Mendoza | 2.6 | Primary libero |
| Defensive Specialist | Jenna Lee | 1.8 | Secondary floor defender |
| Freshman recruit | Riley Thompson | N/A | Development project |
Transfer Portal Trends: How Badgers’ Depth Woes Mirror national Patterns
- Libero turnover spikes: NCAA women’s volleyball data (2024‑2025) show a 27 % increase in libero transfers compared with the previous year.
- Depth‑first programs: Schools that lost a starting libero, such as stanford and Nebraska, responded by adding two transfer liberos in the same window, boosting defensive efficiency by an average of 12 %.
Takeaway
Wisconsin’s depth concerns are not isolated; they reflect a broader shift toward aggressive portal activity to plug defensive gaps quickly.
potential Destinations for Maile Chan
- UCLA Bruins – Seeking a veteran libero after a senior‑year graduation; UCLA posted a 0.9‑set differential in digs last season.
- Florida State Seminoles – Recently lost their starting libero to graduation; the Seminoles rank in the top‑10 for defensive efficiency.
- Penn State Nittany Lions – Known for a strong libero development pipeline; Chan could compete for the starting spot alongside freshman Mia Kelley.
Strategies Wisconsin Can Use to Mitigate depth Loss
- Accelerate freshman development
- increase live‑ball reps for Riley thompson during preseason scrimmages.
- Pair her with senior setter Samantha Cole to improve ball‑control timing.
- Leverage graduate transfers
- Target a graduate‑transfer libero with proven NCAA tournament experience (e.g., a recent graduate from Boston College).
- Adjust defensive schemes
- Implement a hybrid 6‑2 system that allows the opposite hitter to drop back for back‑row defense, reducing sole reliance on the libero.
- Utilize the transfer portal proactively
- Open a “defensive specialist” slot for a short‑term transfer to cover the 2026 season while the freshman matures.
FAQ: Transfer Portal and wisconsin Volleyball
Q: When can Maile Chan officially join a new program?
A: Once she accepts an offer and the NCAA clears the transfer, she can be eligible to play in the next season’s opening weekend (typically early September).
Q: Does entering the portal affect her scholarship at Wisconsin?
A: No. The badgers retain her scholarship through the end of the academic year, but she will not receive financial aid from wisconsin if she transfers before the term concludes.
Q: How does the portal impact team chemistry for the Badgers?
A: Losing a senior leader can disrupt defensive communication; however, it also creates an prospect for younger players to step up and develop leadership skills.
Q: What are the NCAA rules for immediate eligibility after a transfer?
A: Since the 2023 reform, a first‑time transfer from one Division I program to another is granted a one‑time immediate‑eligibility exception, provided the athlete meets academic and conduct criteria.
Key takeaways for fans and recruiters:
- Maile Chan’s portal entry intensifies Wisconsin’s need for a seasoned libero.
- the badgers must balance rapid development of existing talent with strategic portal acquisitions.
- Monitoring Chan’s next move offers insight into how top defensive players navigate the evolving transfer landscape in women’s collegiate volleyball.
