Volleyball’s Champion Reclassifies for 2026-27
June 12, 2026 | Volleyball
Heralded Puerto Rican Outside Hitter Joins Badgers for Upcoming Season
MADISON, Wis. – The highly touted volleyball Puerto Rican outside hitter, Decelise Champion, will join the Wisconsin volleyball team for the 2026-27 season, head coach Kelly Sheffield announced Friday.
Originally slated to be a member of UW's Class of 2027, Champion will join the Badger volleyball team a season early.
"We are certainly excited to have Decelise be a part of our team this season," Sheffield said. "She approached me in February about her desire to start a year earlier and then put in the necessary academic work in order to make that happen. For the past two years she has lived in another country and taken classes in her third language and has excelled while doing so. Although it is unusual to have someone start college and competing at such a young age, her maturity, her background, and the great support we have here at Wisconsin for all of our athletes gives me confidence that she will be able to thrive."
"This summer she will be competing for Puerto Rico in an Olympic Qualifier event and will be joining us at the beginning of September after that tournament is completed."
The 6-foot-6 outside hitter is from Dorado, Puerto Rico and attended Dorado Academy. In 2023, she helped her team to a Buzzer Beater Championship and AAU National Championship, while also being named MVP of both tournaments. Her accolades also include Trofeo Bussinelo Champion (2024), Finali Nazionali Champion (2025), and Finali Regionali di Lazio Champion in 2026. In each of those three latter championships, she was named MVP and/or Best Attacker of the tournament.
In addition to Champion's high school honors, she also competes with Puerto Rico's Women's National Team and plays club for the Italian Club Volleyro Casal de Pazzi. Champion has competed in the Mundial U17 in Peru (2024), Senior Copa Panamericana Dominican Republic (2024), Senior Final Four in Perto Rico (2025), Copa Panamericana Colima Mexico (2025), and Senior Mundial Thailand (2025).
Be sure to catch Champion and the rest of the Badger volleyball team this season in the UW Field House – the full schedule is out now!
2026 Wisconsin Volleyball Schedule
Originally slated to be a member of UW's Class of 2027, Champion will join the Badger volleyball team a season early.
"We are certainly excited to have Decelise be a part of our team this season," Sheffield said. "She approached me in February about her desire to start a year earlier and then put in the necessary academic work in order to make that happen. For the past two years she has lived in another country and taken classes in her third language and has excelled while doing so. Although it is unusual to have someone start college and competing at such a young age, her maturity, her background, and the great support we have here at Wisconsin for all of our athletes gives me confidence that she will be able to thrive."
"This summer she will be competing for Puerto Rico in an Olympic Qualifier event and will be joining us at the beginning of September after that tournament is completed."
The 6-foot-6 outside hitter is from Dorado, Puerto Rico and attended Dorado Academy. In 2023, she helped her team to a Buzzer Beater Championship and AAU National Championship, while also being named MVP of both tournaments. Her accolades also include Trofeo Bussinelo Champion (2024), Finali Nazionali Champion (2025), and Finali Regionali di Lazio Champion in 2026. In each of those three latter championships, she was named MVP and/or Best Attacker of the tournament.
In addition to Champion's high school honors, she also competes with Puerto Rico's Women's National Team and plays club for the Italian Club Volleyro Casal de Pazzi. Champion has competed in the Mundial U17 in Peru (2024), Senior Copa Panamericana Dominican Republic (2024), Senior Final Four in Perto Rico (2025), Copa Panamericana Colima Mexico (2025), and Senior Mundial Thailand (2025).
Be sure to catch Champion and the rest of the Badger volleyball team this season in the UW Field House – the full schedule is out now!
2026 Wisconsin Volleyball Schedule
Thursday, December 18
Wednesday, December 17
Tuesday, December 16
Sunday, December 14
