MADISON, Wis. – Former Badger defensive standout Annemarie Hickey has returned to the Wisconsin volleyball program as the team's technical coordinator, head coach Kelly Sheffield announced on Wednesday.

"I'm so excited to announce Annemarie as our technical coordinator," said Sheffield. "First of all, being a former player, she knows the program and the staff.  Secondly, she has a great passion, skill set, knowledge, and necessary experience for this position. 

"Advances in video and statistical technology have really had an impact in our sport. It's great that our administration shares the same vision on the importance of having someone on staff that is dedicated to this and can keep up with the advancement of these technologies."

Hickey will be responsible for scouting breakdown and dissemination of opponent and Wisconsin film exchange using VolleyMetrics. She will also create a video dissemination plan for sending video to players, including the use of online storage portals and student-athlete iPads. Hickey will assist the UW coaching staff after each match and practice by creating and disseminating statistical information as well as scouting and breaking down all practice drills using statistical software and video equipment.

Hickey was a four-year letter winner for the Badgers from 2010-13. She served as a team tri-captain in 2013, aiding UW to an appearance in the NCAA championship match. Hickey ranks third on Wisconsin's career record list with 1,849 digs, tying for second with 3.98 digs per set. 

Hickey graduated from UW in 2014 with a bachelor's degree in sociology. She spent the 2014-15 season as the Badgers' volunteer assistant coach.

"When Anne was our volunteer assistant coach, this was a lot of what she did and she became very good at it," explained Sheffield. "The video and statistical part of the job is what she is interested in and loves. This isn't an entry position for her to get an on-court coaching position somewhere and we didn't set up this position to be that. Annemarie's going to be able to hit the ground running and be in charge of this growing area so that the rest of the coaches can focus on our current players and recruiting."