For Immediate Release
Contact: Daniel Wackershauser, Marketing and PR Specialist
Phone: 608.822.2303
Mail: 1800 Bronson Blvd., Fennimore, WI 53809
Date of Release: May 22, 2026
New Women’s Club Volleyball Team Launches This Fall
Fennimore -
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is expanding student opportunities with the launch of a women’s club volleyball program beginning this fall. The new offering marks the college’s first official club-level athletic team and is designed to provide students with a flexible, competitive athletic experience while balancing academics, work and other commitments.
McKenzie Graf, Southwest Tech student engagement coordinator and athletic director, said the idea grew from conversations about expanding women’s athletic opportunities on campus. After being asked to explore potential options, Graf surveyed in-district high school athletic directors to better understand regional student interest and participation trends. “Volleyball was the strongest across the board,” she said. “Nineteen of the 20 schools that responded identified volleyball as one of their leading participation sports.”
Unlike varsity athletics, club volleyball offers a lighter schedule while still providing organized competition. Teams typically practice about twice per week and compete during the fall and spring, with occasional tournaments.
Graf said the flexibility of the club format was a major factor in the decision. “We understand many of our students work or have other responsibilities outside of school,” she said. “This allows students to stay involved in athletics without the time commitment of a full varsity program.”
The team will compete in the Wisconsin Volleyball Conference alongside schools such as UW-Platteville, UW-La Crosse and UW-Whitewater. Depending on performance, athletes may have opportunities to qualify for state and national tournaments.
Southwest Tech is currently recruiting for a coach and hopes to begin practices around October. Graf said student participation will help determine whether the college fields one or two teams during the inaugural season.
Because the college does not currently have an on-campus volleyball facility, the program plans to partner with a local school district for practice space.
Graf said the first few years will focus on building participation and evaluating long-term growth potential, with hopes the program could someday transition to the varsity level.
Learn more: www.swtc.edu/VOLLEYBALL