Last season, the Wisconsin Badgers volleyball team had two seniors who were not from the USA. They have experience playing for their country’s national youth volleyball teams. Meanwhile, both signed up for foreign volleyball professional leagues after concluding their collegiate careers. Surprisingly, both players have made their debut almost at similar times in two parts of the world. One of them is Anna Smrek.

After completing her stint with the Wisconsin Badgers, the Ontario-born player joined the Italian professional volleyball squad, Milano. The update claims Smrek made her debut in her professional career on Sunday. But what about the other one? Who is she? 

The other one is Julia Orzol. The former Wisconsin Badgers’ outside hitter joined Chemik Police in the Polish professional volleyball league, Tauron Liga. On Sunday, she made her debut in the league. She came in as a substitute in the game and scored 5 kills. Coincidentally, Anna Smrek had also come as a substitute in her first professional game, representing Milano. But the difference was in the results. 

On Sunday, Anna Smrek’s Numia Vero Volley Milano couldn’t claim a victory against Igor Gorgonzola Novara. In the five-set game, Novara overpowered Milano at a 3-2 set point. Nonetheless, Smrek’s former Wisconsin Badgers teammate inflicted a clean sweep against the rival, Stal Mielec. In the end, the scoreline was 25-18, 25-19, and 32-30. Orzol’s presence in the court ensured the opponent couldn’t bite. She started almost in the same tone the way she left in the NCAA Regional final against Nebraska last year. 

Julia Orzol scored 7 kills and 9 digs in her last collegiate volleyball game. The result didn’t favor the Badgers, however. They had to end their journey there. But leading the Badgers from the front, Julia left the arena with her head held high. She concluded the season with 248 kills and 54.0 blocks. She also had 277 digs beside her name. Orzol, a former member of Poland’s youth national team, sought to relaunch her professional volleyball career in Europe. 

“I definitely want to go back to Europe and play volleyball professionally. It’s a work in progress, as they say,” she mentioned in her last note for Wisconsin Badgers. On Sunday, she started to walk on that route. However, Julia Orzol and Anna Smrek were not the only Badgers to land invitations from the professional volleyball leagues last season. They had a few more names. 

Wisconsin Badgers had a few more names earning places in the professional leagues

Sarah Franklin has yet to start her pro volleyball journey. The former Wisconsin Badgers volleyball standout signed up for the League One Volleyball program, LOVB Omaha. Her decision to join the program turned heads for several reasons. First, the 2023 AVCA National Player of the Year will continue her love affair with the sport. Second, she will get a chance to perform in front of the Badgers fans.

However, previously she had calls to join the Pro Volleyball League squads. But Frank the Tank stood adamant to play for Madison. Her determination ultimately brought her an invitation to the LOVB program. 

Apart from her, two more Badgers were chosen in American professional leagues. However, PVF saw those players join the fold. The first name was Devyn Robinson. San Diego Mojo picked her up in the first round as the fifth overall selection. On the other hand, CC Crawford found an entry as Indy Ignite roped her in the second round as the 16th overall pick of the draft.

The trio is yet to start their professional career. Nonetheless, they might have seen Julia Orzol and Anna Smrek, who are already in the fast lane of their professional careers.