Photo leak of Wisconsin volleyball players under investigation - Just Women's Sports (2024)

Emma Hruby

Oct 21, 2022

Photo leak of Wisconsin volleyball players under investigation - Just Women's Sports (1)

The University of Wisconsin athletic department is investigating a recent leak of private photos and video of its women’s volleyball players.

While the athletic department did not offer up any details of the leaked material in its statement, it did say that the pictures and video were not intended to be made public. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, one of the photos obtained by the outlet appears to have been taken after the team won the Big Ten title last November, showing members of the team with their sports bras lifted.

Similarly, the Wisconsin State Journal reported that the photos were taken from inside the team’s locker room.

Statement from UW Athletics pic.twitter.com/M2lK2OYg8a

— Wisconsin Badgers (@UWBadgers) October 19, 2022

“UWPD is not investigating the volleyball student-athletes for wrongdoing in this matter,” the statement said. “Our top priority is supporting our student-athletes and we are providing them with the appropriate services and resources.”

They called the leak a “significant and wrongful invasion” of the athletes’ privacy, with University of Wisconsin police investigating multiple crimes, “including potential violations of university policies and criminal statutes.”

According to the university, the athletes contacted the police upon becoming aware of the leak.

On Thursday, University of Wisconsin police spokesman Mac Lovicott confirmed the investigation.

Wisconsin won its first national title last year, and is currently ranked fifth in the country with a 13-3 record (7-1 Big Ten). The Badgers are set to play Michigan State on Friday.

Women’s sports, straight to your inbox

Start your morning off right with Just Women’s Sports’ free, 5x-a-week newsletter.

Learn more -->

Dee Lab

Aug 1, 2024

Photo leak of Wisconsin volleyball players under investigation - Just Women's Sports (2)

Olympic track and field takes flight today,with atalented Team USAlooking to ascend the podium once again.

From early this morning until a few hours before the Closing Ceremony, track and field stars will compete across 48 eventsin a quest for Olympic glory.

Photo leak of Wisconsin volleyball players under investigation - Just Women's Sports (3)

USA track and field shoots for Olympic podium return

In 2021, Team USA led all nations with a collective26 medals, with athletes competing in women’s events — including Katie Moon (pole vault), Valarie Allman (discus), andSydney McLaughlin-Levrone(400-meter hurdles) — responsible for five of the team’s seven golds.

Since then, the squad has only improved, earning 33 and 29 medals at the last twoWorld Athletics Championshipsrespectively, including 12 golds in Budapest last summer.

Photo leak of Wisconsin volleyball players under investigation - Just Women's Sports (4)

New rule offers track and field athletes an Olympic redo

For the first time in Olympic history,the 2024 Games will feature arepechage roundin the 200-meter through 1,500-meter races, offering athletes who underperformed in heats a second shot at advancing.

In previous Olympics, those spots went to athletes who failed to qualify in their heats but had the fastest overall non-advancing times.

"It’s kind of like a make-up quiz," said US Trials 100-meter hurdles champMasai Russell. "If it didn’t go right the first time, you could get it right the second time. That’s really good because I feel like with the hurdles especially, anything can happen."

Team USA women's track and field athletes to watch

To call Team USA stacked would be an understatement. These are just a handful of the 61 US women’s sports superstars expected to set the standard in Paris.

Sha’Carri Richardson:Making her highly anticipated Olympic debutafter a 2021suspension, 2024’s fastest woman is favored to become Team USA’s first women’s 100-meter gold medalist since 1996 — and with Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson dropping that race, it’s Richardson’s to lose.

Gabby Thomas:Tokyo bronze medalist Thomas will face back-to-back world champion Jackson in the 200-meter, with both runners chasing legend Florence Griffith-Joyner’s1988 world record.

Katie Moon:Tokyo gold medalist Moon will defend her pole vaulting title at her second Olympics in Paris, going up against stiff competition in the form of fellow Olympic gold medalist, Greece’s Aikaterini Stefanidi.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone:The 400-meter hurdles star's biggest competition is herself: McLaughlin-Levrone has lowered her ownworld recordfive times and is poised to become the event’s first-ever two-time Olympic champ.

Chase Jackson:The world’s top-ranked women's shot putter, Jackson will make her Olympic debut in Paris after winning gold at the 2022 and 2023 World Championships.

Claire Watkins

Aug 1, 2024

Photo leak of Wisconsin volleyball players under investigation - Just Women's Sports (5)

The USWNT remains undefeated at the Paris Olympics,registering their firstperfect group stagesince the 2012 Summer Games after defeating Australia 2-1 on Wednesday.

The US advances with a team-recordnine group stage goals while also leading the Olympic field in both goal differential and goals scored.

Photo leak of Wisconsin volleyball players under investigation - Just Women's Sports (6)

First-time Olympians Rodman, Albert score in USWNT win

New USWNT manager Emma Hayesopted not to rotate herstarting XIon Wednesday, despite the US having already qualified for the quarterfinal thanks to Sunday'swin over Germany. The US's only change came by way of replacing the injured Tierna Davidson, who's currently out with a knee contusion, with center-backEmily Sonnett.

The USWNT fought an Australian low block for much of the match, with the Matildas unsuccessfully chasing the vital point they needed to advance out of Group B.

First-time OlympianTrinity Rodmanopened the scoring for the US justbefore halftime, while substitute Korbin Albert notched the game-winner in the 77th minute. Matildas defender Alanna Kennedy brought her team within one goal of equalizing in the 91st, but the US held on through the rest of stoppage time to claim the win.

USWNT's Coffey out for Olympics quarterfinal

Hayes's emphasis onconsistencyearned the result,but not withoutconsequences. Midfielder Sam Coffey earned her secondgroup stage yellow cardminutes into the match, rendering her unavailablefor the quarterfinal against Japan and guaranteeing Hayes's first Olympic change to the USWNT's starting midfield.

Saturday's match will also determine the USWNT's path forward, as advancing to the semifinal round secures a shot at a medal.

Photo leak of Wisconsin volleyball players under investigation - Just Women's Sports (7)

Other noteworthy Olympic soccer results

France finished atop Group A with a win against New Zealand, while Canada came back from asix-point deductionto finish second with a victory over Colombia, who also advanced in third place.

Due togoal differential, Canada's win denied Australia the opportunity to advance, marking their worst women's soccer finish since 2000, while Germany took second with a win over Zambia.

Spain also capped a perfect group stage with their win over third-place Brazil, who managed to overcomeMarta's red cardto advance from Group C. Japan also moved forward, finishing second with a win over Nigeria.

Dee Lab

Aug 1, 2024

Photo leak of Wisconsin volleyball players under investigation - Just Women's Sports (8)

Today’s Olympic basketball tilt could be Team USA’s toughestyet, as the US faces a Belgian side theybarely defeatedless than six months ago.

Compared to Team USA’s Olympic dynasty, Paris is just the second Summer Games for seventh-place Tokyo finisher Belgium, with today marking their first time facing the eighth-straight gold medal-hunting USA on an Olympic court.

Photo leak of Wisconsin volleyball players under investigation - Just Women's Sports (9)

Team USA hopes to rewrite Olympic qualifier rematch

At February’sOlympic qualifiers, the US eked out a nail-biting 81-79 win over Belgium, needing a clutch Breanna Stewart buzzer beater to get the job done. The 2023 EuroBasket champions held the US to their tightest scoreline in years, draining 12 threes while Team USA went 4-for-19 — the samestatlinethey posted against Japan on Monday.

Both teams were missing key players in that qualifying game, with stars A’ja Wilson and Chelsea Gray not available for the US and Belgium’s 6-foot-4 center Kyara Linskens out for the Cats.

Photo leak of Wisconsin volleyball players under investigation - Just Women's Sports (10)

Full rosters favor a USA victory

Even with both teams at full strength, Team USA is still the heavy favorite.

To hand the US their first Olympic loss since 1992, Belgium will have to lean on their WNBA vets: current Mystics guard Julie Vanloo and 2019 WNBA Finals MVP center Emma Meesseman. The pair led the Cats with a combined 43 points in Belgium’s opening loss to Germany, a team the US humbled in their finalpre-Olympic tune-up.

"It’s going to be a great game," Team USA’sNapheesa Colliersaid of Belgium. "They’re a really good team. So I think it’s going to be a battle."

Where to watch USA Women's Basketball vs. Belgium

Team USA meets Belgium this afternoon at 3 PM ET, with live coverage acrossNBC networks.

Photo leak of Wisconsin volleyball players under investigation - Just Women's Sports (11)

Team USA's 3×3 gold medal repeat dreams dim

Unlike their 5x5 counterparts, it’s been a very different tournamentfor Team USA’s defending gold medalist3×3 squad. Beleaguered byinjury, they have yet to secure a single win, falling 17-13 to Germany on Tuesday, 20-17 to Azerbaijan on Wednesday, and 17-15 to Australia this morning.

The struggling US will now take on Spain, hoping to finally find their footing against the first-place Spanish side.

Where to watch USA Women's Basketball 3×3 vs. Spain

Team USA 3×3 plays Spain this afternoon at 3:30 PM ET, with live coverage acrossNBC networks.

JWS Staff

Aug 1, 2024

Photo leak of Wisconsin volleyball players under investigation - Just Women's Sports (12)

Welcome back to The 91st, your one-stop-shop for all things USWNT at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Three group matches, three wins! But now the Olympic tournament really starts for the US Women's National Team.

Hosts Jordan Angeli, Duda Pavao, and Jess McDonald discuss the unique challenges Japan will present the US in Saturday's quarterfinal and how caoch Emma Hayes might tweak the starting XI in light of Sam Coffey's second yellow card and Tierna Davidson's injury.

Plus, Jordan, Duda, and Jess go through their bracket predictions and determine that they'd much prefer getting tackled by USA Rugby Sevens star Ilona Maher over taking a volleyball to the face.

Subscribe to Just Women's Sports on YouTube to never miss an episode.

top stories

USA Swimming's Olympic Dominance Hangs in the Balance Team USA Beats Japan in Tokyo Olympics Rematch Team USA Earns First-Ever Rugby Sevens Olympic Medal USWNT Puts the Olympic Field on Notice With Big Win Over Germany

Watch

The One Where She Retires | Kelley on the Street

5 minutes 16 seconds

Women’s sports, straight to your inbox

Start your morning off right with Just Women’s Sports’ free, 5x-a-week newsletter.

Learn more -->

Photo leak of Wisconsin volleyball players under investigation - Just Women's Sports (2024)

FAQs

Photo leak of Wisconsin volleyball players under investigation - Just Women's Sports? ›

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, one of the photos obtained by the outlet appears to have been taken after the team won the Big Ten title last November, showing members of the team with their sports bras lifted.

How did the Wisconsin volleyball team photo get leaked? ›

On Wednesday, the athletic department said the images came from the phone of a team member and were never intended to be seen publicly, the Wisconsin State Journal reported.

Why did the girl get kicked off the Wisconsin volleyball team? ›

High school sports fans may have heard about a Wisconsin girl kicked off from her volleyball team for breaching the school's code of conduct. The teenager, known as Jane Doe, was accused of drinking at a party and uploading a beer bottle photo on social media.

What is the Wisconsin Badgers scandal? ›

The University of Wisconsin athletic department announced on Oct. 19 the investigation into a a leak of private photos and videos of Badgers women's volleyball players, which were then shared on the internet.

Who did Wisconsin women's volleyball lose? ›

Texas surged in the final two sets to roll Wisconsin, 3-1 (25-22, 20-25, 25-13, 25-16). The Longhorns aced 11 times, which is a season-best for the squad. Madisen Skinner had a career game at the service line, doubling her previous career-best of three, and Asjia O'Neal and Emma Halter both added two.

Did the Wisconsin volleyball girls get in trouble? ›

The girls are not under investigation. "UWPD is investigating multiple crimes, including sharing sensitive photos without consent," the statement read. "UWPD is not investigating the volleyball student-athletes for wrongdoing in this matter."

How do you take pictures of volleyball teams? ›

You may need to shoot in portrait orientation, and manually choose an auto-focus point at the bottom of the frame. This will allow you to catch focus on the legs of each player, rather than fighting to shoot through the net. The types of images here will generally include: Blocks.

How tall is the tallest girl on Wisconsin volleyball team? ›

She's the tallest player in Wisconsin history

At 6-9, she's the tallest player in UW history, just a nudge taller than five-time All-American and former teammate Dana Rettke.

Why did Belly get her captaincy revoked? ›

Jeremiah and Belly have their own bonding moment in transit: She reveals the reason why she lost her volleyball captaincy is that she was distracted by Susannah's death, so he encourages her to start playing again.

How tall is Sarah Franklin in Wisconsin volleyball? ›

6 ft 4 in

What is the shoe box scandal in Wisconsin? ›

A report in the Wisconsin State Journal prompted the university's investigation that found 157 athletes in 14 sports violated NCAA rules by accepting at least $23,000 in unadvertised discounts from The Shoe Box, a store 25 miles from Madison in Black Earth.

Why are they called the badgers? ›

The team's nickname, 'Badgers,' was borrowed from the state of Wisconsin. The territory was dubbed the 'Badger State,' not because of animals in the region, but rather an association with lead miners in the 1820s.

Is the badger game illegal? ›

A quick definition of badger game:

For example, a person may be lured into a situation with a woman who is pretending to be interested in them, only to have her husband or accomplice show up and demand payment to keep quiet. It is a form of blackmail and can be illegal.

How did the Wisconsin volleyball team get leaked? ›

Explicit photos of the Wisconsin's women's volleyball team leaked online last week, which prompted a police investigation, had reportedly originated from a player's phone. The University of Wisconsin released a statement on Oct.

Who is Anna Smrek? ›

Personal Life. At 6-foot-9, Anna Smrek is one of the most commanding volleyball players in Big Ten and Wisconsin Badger history.

What club did Madisen Skinner play for? ›

Madisen Skinner (born 2001) is an American college volleyball player for the Texas Longhorns. She has won three NCAA championships, one with the Kentucky Wildcats in 2020 and two with the Longhorns in 2022 and 2023.

Is Wisconsin good at volleyball? ›

MADISON – Any questions about the Wisconsin volleyball team's credentials as a top-four seed for the NCAA tournament were answered Friday. The Badgers didn't just beat the unanimous No. 1 team in the nation, they swept Nebraska to hand the Cornhuskers their first loss of the season.

Where is Wisconsin volleyball? ›

UW Field House, Madison, Wis.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Ms. Lucile Johns

Last Updated:

Views: 5947

Rating: 4 / 5 (61 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Ms. Lucile Johns

Birthday: 1999-11-16

Address: Suite 237 56046 Walsh Coves, West Enid, VT 46557

Phone: +59115435987187

Job: Education Supervisor

Hobby: Genealogy, Stone skipping, Skydiving, Nordic skating, Couponing, Coloring, Gardening

Introduction: My name is Ms. Lucile Johns, I am a successful, friendly, friendly, homely, adventurous, handsome, delightful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.