Former Wisconsin volleyball legend set to play professionally in Indianapolis

Former Wisconsin volleyball standout Sydney Hilley will play professional volleyball for Indy Ignite Pro in 2025.

A few days before former Northwestern and Wisconsin volleyball outside hitter Temi Thomas-Ailara joined LOVB Madison’s squad, Hilley committed to join Indianapolis, Indiana’s latest professional squad.

The Ignite will kick-start its inaugural season in January 2025 as a member of the Pro Volleyball Federation. Hilley joins several Big Ten alumni, including former Buckeye Kylie Murr and former Wolverine Carly Skjodt, to join the 10-woman team next year.

In five years at Wisconsin, Hilley personified consistency as a setter. The Brooklyn Park, Minnesota native was a five-time consecutive AVCA All-American, three-time Big Ten Setter of the Year and four-time First Team All-Big Ten honoree from 2017-21.

Hilley ranks No. 4 in program history in assists (4,680), No. 5 in assists per set (11.76) and No. 5 in career double-doubles (37). She started 114 of 115 matches during her illustrious tenure career and played in 114 of 117 sets, per UW athletics.

During UW’s 2021 title-winning season, Hilley led the Badgers and Big Ten in assists with 11.95 per set. She started all 34 matches and 116 sets in 2019, the season in which Wisconsin appeared in the NCAA title game vs. Stanford.

Hilley’s latest feat arrived when she was named MVP of the Pro Volleyball Federation Playoffs for the Omaha Supernovas. She will now look to build off an already remarkable volleyball career with Indy down the line.