Varsity is the free Official Digital Magazine of Wisconsin Athletics, covering Badgers football, basketball, hockey and more each week.
Issue link: https://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/230649
Wednesday, becoming the first freshman in school history to be named an All-American. Detailing the specifics of her role, Carlini said, "I have to be one of the vocal leaders on the court and I have to be the calming figure when things are going downhill; I have to weather the storm. "It takes a lot of self-control and things like that as a freshman because the setter and the quarterback of the team can't be freaking out or else everyone else is going to freak out, too." Carlini has always been comfortable taking on a leadership role even among older, more experienced players. "I always played up, at least a level or two, throughout my club career," she said. The early results weren't always the most gratifying, though. Carlini was bestowed second-team "I made mistakes when I was younger All-America honors on Wednesday, becoming the first freshman in school and I wasn't always the best teammate," history to be named an All-American. she admitted. "I've learned my lessons throughout the years and I've adapted and made changes. "I used to yell at people a lot ― I was t seemed like only yesterday that Carlini showed really aggressive. Back then, I would get on people, up at Wisconsin with unrivaled credentials, at 'C'mon get it together.' But that's not what everyleast for this program. She was, after all, the No. 1 body needs. high school recruit in the nation. "Maybe some people need to get yelled at every Much was expected of her; so much so that it once in awhile. Other people need a pat on the back. might overwhelm some less confident, less toughThat takes time. It doesn't come overnight. It's a lot minded freshmen. But that was not the case with of adjusting, trying things out, trial and error." Carlini, who has always embraced the expectations. What Carlini had not counted on was an injury, a "I just came in with the mentality that I have partially torn hamstring. "It was kind of disappointto hold a leadership role," she said, "and I have to ing," she said of being sidelined for four matches at be one of the jump-starters on the team who gets the start of the season, "and definitely frustrating." things going and who excites the team. Carlini had plenty of company in the training "At first, whenever a freshman comes in, you have room because of a rash of injuries. to learn how (to handle things). You have to oper"We were at a point where we were losing a body ate within the team and with what your personality every 23 minutes or something like that," Sheffield needs to be on and off the court. jested. "I don't know how many practices we had to "There's that little transition that you have to cancel because we didn't have bodies." make. During the preseason, I kind of knew my role But the Badgers kept grinding and weathered the already and, ever since then, it has been pretty sostorm. lidified." "I think the big turning point was after we beat Solid is an understatement when it comes to Michigan State and Minnesota back to back," Carlini Carlini's play as the Badgers' starting setter. She said of 3-1 victories over the No. 5 Spartans and No. was bestowed second-team All-America honors on I 30 // VARSITY December 19, 2013