Sarah Christina Franklin is an American outside hitter who plays for Zeren Spor Kulübü in Türkiye and has represented the United States women’s national team. Born in Lake Worth Beach, Florida, in 2002, the 193 cm attacker played college volleyball at Michigan State and Wisconsin before beginning a professional career in the United States and Europe.
Franklin won the 2023 AVCA National Player of the Year award at Wisconsin and repeated as a First Team All-American in 2024. Her professional career has since included LOVB Madison, Savino Del Bene Scandicci and Zeren Spor, with a 2025 FIVB Women’s Club World Championship title highlighting her first season in Europe.
Player Information
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sarah Christina Franklin |
| Date of Birth | February 27, 2002 |
| Nationality | United States |
| Born | Lake Worth Beach, Florida, United States |
| Hometown | Lake Worth, Florida, United States |
| High School | Lake Worth Christian School |
| Colleges | Michigan State University; University of Wisconsin–Madison |
| Position | Outside Hitter |
| Height | 193 cm (6 ft 4 in) |
| Spike Reach | 332 cm |
| Block Reach | 318 cm |
| Dominant Hand | Right |
| Previous Clubs | LOVB Madison; Savino Del Bene Scandicci |
| Current Club | Zeren Spor Kulübü |
| Club Number | 13 |
| National Team | United States Women’s National Volleyball Team |
| National-Team Number | 22 |
| @sarah.franklin13 |
USA Volleyball and Volleyball World list Franklin at 193 cm, or 6 ft 4 in, while her current CEV European Cups profile uses 194 cm. The same CEV profile lists her full name as Sarah Christina Franklin and No. 13 for Zeren Spor.
USA Volleyball currently lists Franklin as No. 22 and an outside hitter in the senior national-team pool. Her official Instagram handle, @sarah.franklin13, is also identified in Wisconsin and CEV player materials.
Early Life & Volleyball Beginnings
Franklin grew up in Lake Worth, Florida, as the daughter of Todd and Michelle Franklin. She has three siblings, Eric, Kyle and Kelly, and volleyball was already part of the family because her mother played the sport at the University of Virginia.
She began playing volleyball at age 11 and attended Lake Worth Christian School. Franklin became a five-year varsity player, reached 2,000 career kills as a senior and was a three-time Palm Beach Post Player of the Year.
Her high-school teams won multiple district and regional championships, including a state championship in 2015. She also played club volleyball with Palm Beach Juniors and earned AAU all-tournament and all-star recognition.
Franklin entered college as one of the stronger outside-hitter recruits in her class. Wisconsin later noted that she had been ranked No. 29 nationally by PrepVolleyball and had received Under Armour All-America honorable mention recognition before beginning her NCAA career.
College Career
Michigan State: An Early Six-Rotation Role
Franklin began her collegiate career at Michigan State during the 2020–21 season. She played only seven matches before an injury ended her freshman campaign, but she was already averaging 3.81 kills and 2.19 digs per set.
Her sophomore season established her as one of the Big Ten’s most productive attackers. Franklin led Michigan State with 3.96 kills per set, ranked third in the conference in that category and earned First Team All-Big Ten honors.
Her role was broader than scoring alone. Franklin added 229 digs, 25 aces and 59 blocks during the 2021 season, while operating as a six-rotation outside hitter with substantial serve-receive responsibility.
When Franklin transferred after the season, Wisconsin coach Kelly Sheffield emphasized that versatility. Wisconsin’s announcement of her transfer described a player who could pass through all six rotations, terminate both in and out of system and apply pressure with her serve.
Transferring to Wisconsin
Franklin joined Wisconsin for the 2022 season after two years at Michigan State. She immediately became a major part of a Badgers team that won the Big Ten championship and advanced to the NCAA regional final.
She led Wisconsin with 317 kills and averaged 3.60 kills per set during her first season in Madison. Franklin also earned First Team All-Big Ten and AVCA Third Team All-America recognition, extending the national honors she had first received while at Michigan State.
The transition also showed that her attacking production could hold up inside another elite Big Ten system. Wisconsin used her both as a high-volume left-side option and as a six-rotation passer, responsibilities that would remain central to her game for the rest of college.
Returning in 2023 and Becoming National Player of the Year
Franklin was sidelined during the summer before the 2023 season but returned for Wisconsin’s opening match against Baylor. She led the Badgers with 13 kills in her first match back, beginning a season that ultimately became the defining individual year of her college career.
She averaged more than four kills per set while remaining involved in serve receive and back-row defense. Wisconsin reached the NCAA national semifinals, and Franklin finished the season with First Team All-America, Big Ten Player of the Year and AVCA Northeast Region Player of the Year honors.
The largest award arrived during Final Four week. Franklin was named the 2023 AVCA National Player of the Year, becoming only the second Wisconsin player after Dana Rettke to receive the honor.
Her 2023 production combined volume with a complete outside-hitter workload. Franklin averaged roughly 4.15 kills and two digs per set while recording multiple double-doubles during Wisconsin’s run to the national semifinals.
Another First-Team All-America Season in 2024
Franklin returned for a fifth college season in 2024 and served as a Wisconsin captain. She started every match, produced 535 kills and averaged 4.46 kills, 2.28 digs and 4.96 points per set.
Her season included a program-record 33 kills against Marquette and nine matches with at least 20 kills. She reached double figures in kills in 31 of 33 matches, illustrating how consistently Wisconsin relied on her as its primary terminal attacker.
The awards again followed the production. Franklin was named Big Ten Player of the Year and AVCA North Region Player of the Year before earning First Team All-America honors for a second consecutive season.
She also finished as an AVCA National Player of the Year finalist and a Honda Sport Award finalist. Across her entire NCAA career, Franklin became a four-time AVCA All-American and a four-time First Team All-Big Ten selection.
Professional Club Career
Starting Her Pro Career with LOVB Madison
Franklin remained in Madison to begin her professional career in League One Volleyball’s inaugural 2025 season. Joining LOVB Madison allowed her to move directly from Wisconsin into a new American professional league while staying in the city where she had become a college star.
Her first home victory produced one of the most recognizable early moments of that transition. Franklin recorded 19 kills, 12 digs and the match-winning point against LOVB Salt Lake at the Wisconsin Field House.
She finished her first professional season with 194 points across 12 appearances according to Savino Del Bene’s subsequent signing announcement. That total included 10 blocks and nine aces and provided the statistical base for her first overseas move.
Moving to Savino Del Bene Scandicci
In June 2025, Franklin signed with Savino Del Bene Scandicci for the 2025–26 season. The move was her first professional experience outside the United States and placed her in Italy’s Serie A1 as well as the CEV Champions League.
Scandicci used Franklin as part of a deep outside-hitter group competing across domestic and international tournaments. Over the full season, she appeared 42 times and produced 278 points, 18 blocks and 17 aces across Serie A1, the Italian Cup, Champions League and Club World Championship.
Her Champions League season included meaningful contributions during knockout play. Franklin scored 15 points as Scandicci overturned Novara and advanced through a golden set during the club’s run to the Champions League Final Four.
Winning the 2025 Club World Championship
The biggest team title of Franklin’s first European season came in December 2025 at the FIVB Women’s Club World Championship in São Paulo. Scandicci went through the tournament unbeaten and reached an all-Italian final against defending champion Conegliano.
Scandicci defeated Conegliano 3–1 to win its first world title, completing the competition with five victories and only one set lost. The championship gave Franklin her first major professional club trophy.
Her tournament contribution included 14 points on 13 kills and an ace in a pool-stage victory over Alianza Lima. Franklin finished the Club World Championship with 21 total points across five appearances.
Scandicci’s season also included the first Coppa Italia final in club history and a Champions League Final Four appearance. By the time the club announced Franklin’s departure in May 2026, she had completed a season across four competitions and added a world championship to her résumé.
Joining Zeren Spor in Türkiye
Franklin moved to Türkiye for the 2026–27 season, joining Ankara-based Zeren Spor Kulübü. The club’s current roster lists her as No. 13 and an outside hitter alongside a group that includes Anna Dodson, Anna Nicoletti and Fatma Yıldırım.
Her first months with Zeren included an individual preseason honor. Franklin was named MVP of the 2026 Ahmet Göksu Special Volleyball Tournament after Zeren finished second in the four-team event.
She then moved directly into a high-volume role in the Sultanlar Ligi. Franklin recorded 23 attack points in Zeren’s first home victory against İlbank and followed with 16 kills against VakıfBank three days later.
Her strongest league performance through October came in a five-set road victory over Manisa. Franklin scored 29 points, including 25 attack points, as Zeren won 3–2 on October 25.
Club Career Timeline
| Seasons | Team | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | LOVB Madison | United States |
| 2025–26 | Savino Del Bene Scandicci | Italy |
| 2026–present | Zeren Spor Kulübü | Türkiye |
Franklin’s first three professional environments have required different versions of the same outside-hitter skill set. LOVB provided her introduction to professional volleyball, Scandicci added elite European and international club competition, and Zeren has placed her in a larger scoring role in Türkiye.
National Team Career
Collegiate Team and 2024 Pan American Cup Final Six
Franklin’s first USA Volleyball experience included selection to the 2022 U.S. Collegiate National Team. Her move toward the senior program accelerated after her final Wisconsin seasons and her rise to National Player of the Year.
In 2024, she was part of the U.S. roster at the NORCECA Women’s Pan American Cup Final Six. Franklin scored 15 points on 13 kills and two blocks in the semifinal against Puerto Rico as the Americans advanced to the gold-medal match.
The U.S. ultimately finished with silver after losing the final to the Dominican Republic. The tournament gave Franklin significant senior-level international match experience before she entered her first professional season.
Breakthrough in the 2025 Volleyball Nations League
Franklin joined the U.S. Women’s National Team for all three preliminary weeks of the 2025 Volleyball Nations League and remained with the team for the Finals. Her VNL debut season quickly showed that her six-rotation college game could translate to the international level.
Against Czechia in Week One, Franklin led the United States with 20 points on 19 kills and a block. She also contributed 10 digs and a team-high nine successful receptions, giving the performance a clear two-way dimension.
Her biggest scoring match came later against China. Franklin produced 32 points, including 29 kills, and added 11 successful receptions as the United States pushed the match to five sets.
The Americans advanced to the VNL Finals before losing to Italy in the quarterfinals. By the end of the tournament, Franklin had moved beyond developmental national-team appearances and into regular six-rotation responsibility.
2025 World Championship
Franklin was selected for the United States roster at the 2025 FIVB Women’s World Championship in Thailand. The tournament marked her first senior World Championship and continued a summer in which she received substantial playing time at outside hitter.
She scored 10 points and led the team with seven successful receptions in the opening win over Slovenia. Against Argentina, Franklin shared the U.S. scoring lead with 15 points and added 14 digs, while also contributing six successful receptions.
The United States won its pool and advanced through the Round of 16 before Türkiye eliminated the Americans in the quarterfinals. The U.S. finished fifth, giving Franklin a full first World Championship campaign after only one senior international summer.
2026 National-Team Status
Franklin remained part of the U.S. senior program in 2026. USA Volleyball included her as No. 22 on the 30-player preliminary VNL roster under head coach Erik Sullivan.
Her current USA Volleyball athlete profile continues to identify her with the Women’s National Team. The next phase of her international career therefore runs alongside a second European club season as the United States builds toward the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle.
Playing Style & Strengths
Franklin is a true six-rotation outside hitter whose value combines high-ball scoring with meaningful serve-receive and defensive responsibility. At 193 cm, she has the size to attack above or through well-formed blocks without giving up the back-row skills required from a primary international outside.
Her ability to score out of system was already a defining trait at Michigan State. When Wisconsin recruited her, Sheffield specifically highlighted her range, ability to terminate both in and out of system and capacity to serve with pace.
That attacking range becomes especially important when the setter is forced away from the net. Franklin can take high balls against a set block, use her reach to attack deep corners or work the hands rather than relying only on clean first-tempo offense.
She also carries a genuine six-rotation workload. Her 2025 VNL match against Czechia combined 19 kills with 10 digs and nine successful receptions, while the World Championship win over Argentina paired 13 kills with 14 digs and six successful receptions.
Those performances help distinguish Franklin from an outside hitter used mainly for front-row scoring. She can remain on court through the back row without forcing the offense to protect her from routine passing responsibility.
Serving provides another source of pressure. Franklin recorded 17 aces during her Scandicci season across all competitions, and Wisconsin’s staff had identified the pace of her serve as a scoring weapon before she ever arrived in Madison.
Her transition game has become increasingly important in professional volleyball. At Zeren, the early 2026–27 season has required her to handle repeated high-volume swings, culminating in 25 attacking points during the five-set win over Manisa.
Major Achievements
Selected National Team Honors
| Year | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | U.S. Collegiate National Team | Selected |
| 2024 | NORCECA Pan American Cup Final Six | Silver medal |
| 2025 | Volleyball Nations League | Quarterfinalist |
| 2025 | FIVB Women’s World Championship | Fifth place |
| 2026 | Volleyball Nations League | Preliminary U.S. roster |
Franklin’s national-team career has progressed from the collegiate program into major senior competition. The 2025 season remains the deepest international sample so far, with full VNL participation followed by a World Championship quarterfinal run.
Selected Club & College Honors
| Year / Season | Team | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Lake Worth Christian | Florida State Championship | Champion |
| 2022 | Wisconsin | Big Ten Championship | Champion |
| 2023 | Wisconsin | NCAA Division I Championship | Semifinalist |
| 2025 | Savino Del Bene Scandicci | FIVB Women’s Club World Championship | Champion |
| 2025–26 | Savino Del Bene Scandicci | Coppa Italia | Runner-up |
| 2025–26 | Savino Del Bene Scandicci | CEV Champions League | Final Four |
The 2025 Club World Championship is Franklin’s most significant professional team honor to date. It followed a college career in which she won a Big Ten title and reached the NCAA Final Four with Wisconsin.
Selected Individual Awards
| Year | Award |
|---|---|
| 2020 | AVCA Third Team All-American |
| 2021 | First Team All-Big Ten |
| 2022 | AVCA Third Team All-American |
| 2022 | First Team All-Big Ten |
| 2023 | AVCA National Player of the Year |
| 2023 | AVCA First Team All-American |
| 2023 | Big Ten Player of the Year |
| 2023 | AVCA Northeast Region Player of the Year |
| 2023 | Honda Sport Award Finalist |
| 2024 | AVCA First Team All-American |
| 2024 | Big Ten Player of the Year |
| 2024 | AVCA North Region Player of the Year |
| 2024 | AVCA National Player of the Year Finalist |
| 2024 | Honda Sport Award Finalist |
| 2026 | Ahmet Göksu Special Volleyball Tournament MVP |
Franklin’s 2023 National Player of the Year award remains the central individual distinction of her career. Repeating as a conference player of the year and First Team All-American in 2024 showed that the breakout was sustained across consecutive seasons.
Personal Life & Off the Court
Franklin’s family has a strong volleyball connection. Her mother Michelle played at Virginia, and both of Franklin’s parents wore No. 13 during their own volleyball careers, which is why Sarah has maintained the same number through much of her career.
She has two brothers, Eric and Kyle, and a sister, Kelly. USA Volleyball also identifies Lake Worth, Florida, as her hometown and notes the family connection to the sport in her current athlete biography.
At Michigan State, Franklin initially studied mechanical engineering, while her Wisconsin academic path later included communication arts. Her Wisconsin player biography described her as hard-working and noted that she prepares mentally before matches by sitting quietly and running through possible match situations.
Number 13 has remained one of the most visible links between her college and professional identities. She wore it at Wisconsin and now wears No. 13 for Zeren Spor, while her Instagram handle also incorporates the number.
Where Is Sarah Franklin Playing Now?
Sarah Franklin currently plays for Zeren Spor Kulübü in Ankara, Türkiye. She wears No. 13 and is competing in the 2026–27 Vodafone Sultanlar Ligi season after spending the previous year with Savino Del Bene Scandicci in Italy.
Her current role has quickly become a high-volume attacking one. Franklin scored 23 attack points in Zeren’s first home victory and then posted 29 total points in the five-set win over Manisa on October 25.
Zeren’s official roster lists Franklin among the club’s outside hitters for the current season. Her move to Türkiye gives her consecutive seasons in two of Europe’s strongest domestic leagues after beginning her professional career with LOVB Madison.
Franklin also remains connected to the U.S. Women’s National Team program. She was named to the 2026 VNL preliminary pool after appearing in every VNL phase and the World Championship for the United States in 2025.
Recent Performance Snapshot
| Date / Competition | Performance |
|---|---|
| 2025 LOVB season | 194 points in 12 appearances |
| 2025 FIVB Club World Championship | Champion with Savino Del Bene Scandicci |
| 2025–26 Scandicci season | 278 points, 18 blocks, 17 aces in 42 appearances |
| September 2026 | Ahmet Göksu Tournament MVP |
| October 11, 2026 vs. İlbank | 23 attack points |
| October 14, 2026 vs. VakıfBank | 16 attack points |
| October 25, 2026 vs. Manisa | 29 points, including 25 attack points |
Franklin’s early Zeren matches show that her responsibilities have expanded from a rotation role on Scandicci’s deep roster to a more central scoring position in Ankara. Her 29-point performance against Manisa is the clearest example through the first five Sultanlar Ligi rounds.
The transition has come less than a year after winning the Club World Championship with Scandicci. That combination of recent club success and increased individual volume makes the 2026–27 season a distinct new phase of her professional career.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Sarah Franklin?
Sarah Franklin was born on February 27, 2002. She is 24 years old during the 2026–27 club season.
How tall is Sarah Franklin?
Franklin is listed at 193 cm, or 6 ft 4 in, by USA Volleyball and Volleyball World. CEV’s current European Cups profile lists her at 194 cm.
What position does Sarah Franklin play?
Franklin is an outside hitter and has spent most of her career in a six-rotation role. Her responsibilities include high-volume attacking, serve receive, back-row defense and serving.
Which club does Sarah Franklin play for?
Franklin currently plays for Zeren Spor Kulübü in Ankara, Türkiye. She joined the club for the 2026–27 season after one year with Savino Del Bene Scandicci.
What number does Sarah Franklin wear?
Franklin wears No. 13 for Zeren Spor and is listed as No. 22 with USA Volleyball. No. 13 also has family significance because both of her parents wore it when they played volleyball.
Did Sarah Franklin win AVCA National Player of the Year?
Yes. Franklin won the 2023 AVCA National Player of the Year award while playing for Wisconsin, becoming the second Badger to earn the honor.
Has Sarah Franklin played for Team USA?
Yes. Franklin has played for the U.S. senior national team at the 2024 NORCECA Pan American Cup Final Six, the 2025 VNL and the 2025 FIVB World Championship, and she remained in the 2026 national-team pool.
What professional championship has Sarah Franklin won?
Franklin won the 2025 FIVB Women’s Club World Championship with Savino Del Bene Scandicci. The Italian club defeated Conegliano in the final in São Paulo.
References
- USA Volleyball — Sarah Franklin official athlete profile
- USA Volleyball — 2026 Women’s VNL preliminary roster
- USA Volleyball — U.S. Women vs. Czechia at the 2025 VNL
- USA Volleyball — U.S. Women defeat Argentina at the 2025 World Championship
- Wisconsin Athletics — Sarah Franklin official player biography
- Wisconsin Athletics — Sarah Franklin joins Wisconsin volleyball
- Wisconsin Athletics — Sarah Franklin named AVCA National Player of the Year
- LOVB — Former Badgers lead LOVB Madison past LOVB Salt Lake
- Savino Del Bene Scandicci — Sarah Franklin signing announcement
- Savino Del Bene Scandicci — Club farewell and 2025–26 season statistics
- Volleyball World — Scandicci win the 2025 Women’s Club World Championship
- Zeren Spor Kulübü — 2026–27 first-team roster
- CEV — Sarah Christina Franklin 2027 European Cups profile
- Turkish Volleyball Federation — Manisa vs. Zeren Spor, October 25, 2026
