Una Vajagic reflects on transferring from Wisconsin to Arizona State

MILWAUKEE – Una Vajagic’s Arizona State chapter of her volleyball career is starting not far from where she left the last chapter.

The ex-Wisconsin outside hitter’s return to the state for AVCA First Serve was “bringing all the memories” from her time 80-plus miles to the west of Fiserv Forum with the Badgers.

It also brings her surprising offseason move from Wisconsin to Arizona State back into the spotlight as she competes in the second half of an Aug. 22 doubleheader that begins with her former team’s match against Louisville.

“It was a very tough decision,” Vajagic said. “Wisconsin is obviously a great school and great place to be, but I decided to go the other way and find something else, and I think Arizona (State) was the right fit for me.”

UW coach Kelly Sheffield said in January that Vajagic and her agent representation “felt like there were better opportunities out there for her,” but Sheffield felt much differently about her outlook in Madison.

“A kid that seemed like she was having so much joy here and really, really fit in – how that turned sideways certainly feels like we were sabotaged,” Sheffield told the Journal Sentinel at the time.

Asked whether she remains in touch with her Wisconsin teammates or coaches, Vajagic said she has “with a lot of teammates.” She seems to be making a good impression on her new teammates at Arizona State as well.

“She’s so feisty and so competitive,” ASU middle blocker Ella Lomigora said. “It’s a joy to be able to play with her. She steps up the level in our gym, so it’s just awesome to have her with us.”

Wisconsin outside hitter Una Vajagic prepares to serve after getting a service ace in the Badgers' Sept. 5 match against Chicago State at the UW Field House in Madison. — Wisconsin outside hitter Una Vajagic prepares to serve after getting a service ace in the Badgers’ Sept. 5 match against Chicago State at the UW Field House in Madison.

The Sun Devils – ranked No. 12 in the 2026 AVCA preseason poll – are coming off a 28-4 season in 2025 that ended with a four-set loss to Creighton in the NCAA regional semifinals.

Vajagic and ex-Wisconsin middle blocker Tosia Serafinowska joined a group that looks significantly different, though, following the graduation of Bailey Miller and Tatum Parrott at the outside hitter position.

“We’ve just been aggressive with filling in the needs we had, and it was nice that they were available and we were able to get them,” Arizona State coach JJ Van Niel said.

Van Niel’s favorite moments with Vajagic and fellow ex-Badger Tosia Serafinowska have been away from the volleyball court.

“I remember taking them to In-N-Out Burger,” Van Niel said. “They never had that. They were like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is amazing.’ It was pretty funny. … They’re both great kids and really fun to be around.”

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Una Vajagic reflects on transferring from Wisconsin to Arizona State

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