Player Profile · Middle Blocker
Dana Rettke
American professional volleyball player widely regarded as one of the greatest middle blockers in NCAA history. The first five-time AVCA First Team All-American in collegiate volleyball history, Rettke led Wisconsin to its first NCAA National Championship in 2021 before transitioning to professional volleyball in Italy and Turkey and becoming a mainstay on the United States Women's National Team.
Early life
Rettke grew up in Riverside, Illinois and attended Riverside Brookfield High School. Despite not beginning volleyball until high school, she quickly developed into one of the nation's top recruits, graduating with school records for kills and blocks and a top national prospect ranking.
College career — Wisconsin Badgers (2017–2021)
Rettke immediately became one of the most dominant middle blockers in college volleyball history, earning AVCA National Freshman of the Year in 2017 and Big Ten Player of the Year in 2019. As a senior she captured AVCA National Player of the Year and helped Wisconsin win its first national championship in program history, defeating Nebraska in one of the most memorable title matches in NCAA volleyball history.
| Career Kills | 1,785 |
|---|---|
| Hitting Percentage | .439 |
| Total Blocks | 746 |
| Service Aces | 153 |
| Matches Played | 179 |
Awards & honors
Collegiate Honors
- NCAA National Champion (2021)
- AVCA National Player of the Year (2021)
- AVCA National Freshman of the Year (2017)
- Five-Time AVCA First Team All-American (only player in NCAA history)
- Five-Time First Team All-Big Ten
- Big Ten Player of the Year (2019)
- Two-Time Big Ten Female Athlete of the Year
- AVCA Northeast Region Player of the Year
Professional Honors
- Italian Super Cup Champion (Vero Volley Milano)
- CEV Champions League Finalist
- Italian League Finalist
- Turkish League contender with Eczacıbaşı Dynavit
- Club World Championship Participant
International Honors
- Silver Medal — Paris Olympics (2024)
- Gold Medal — Volleyball Nations League (2019)
- Olympic Qualification Tournament Champion (2019)
- Multiple Volleyball Nations League Appearances
- FIVB World Championship Participant
Playing career
Following her Wisconsin career, Rettke signed with Vero Volley Milano in Italy's Serie A1, winning the Italian Super Cup and reaching the CEV Champions League and Italian League finals while quickly establishing herself among the world's top middle blockers.
In 2024, Rettke joined Turkish powerhouse Eczacıbaşı Dynavit, competing in the Turkish League, CEV Champions League, and Club World Championship against many of the best players in the world.
Rettke made her senior national team debut in 2019 and has been a fixture in Team USA's middle blocker rotation, winning VNL Gold in 2019 and an Olympic silver medal at the Paris 2024 Games.
Playing style
Rettke is known for elite blocking ability, exceptional attacking efficiency, quick offensive tempo, court leadership, high volleyball IQ, and dominance at the net. At 6-foot-8, she combines size with uncommon athleticism, making her one of the most difficult middle blockers to stop offensively and one of the most intimidating blockers in the sport. Her responsibilities on the court include:
- Elite middle blocking and net presence
- High-efficiency quick attacks
- Running fast offensive tempos with the setter
- Court leadership and communication
- Slowing opposing middles and pin hitters
- Serving zone pressure
Beyond volleyball
Rettke earned a degree in Business Marketing from Wisconsin. Her success helped elevate Wisconsin volleyball to national prominence and inspired a new generation of middle blockers across the United States.
Career timeline
- 2017 — Wins AVCA National Freshman of the Year at Wisconsin
- 2018 — Earns second AVCA First Team All-America selection
- 2019 — Named Big Ten Player of the Year and wins VNL Gold with Team USA
- 2020 — Becomes four-time First Team All-American
- 2021 — Wins NCAA National Championship and AVCA National Player of the Year
- 2022 — Begins professional career with Vero Volley Milano
- 2024 — Wins Olympic Silver Medal in Paris and signs with Eczacıbaşı Dynavit
- 2025 — Continues international career as one of the world's top middle blockers
Personal information
| Full name | Dana Lynn Rettke |
|---|---|
| Born | January 21, 1999 |
| Birthplace | Riverside, Illinois, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 203 cm (6 ft 8 in) |
| Position | Middle Blocker |
| College | University of Wisconsin |
| Professional debut | 2022 |
| Current club | Eczacıbaşı Dynavit (Turkey) |
Last updated: 2026-06-13