University of Wisconsin-Whitewater senior guard Kacie Carollo (Whitewater, Wis./Whitewater) has been named a finalist for the 2025 Jostens Trophy, a national honor recognizing the most outstanding men’s and women’s Division III basketball players of the year. Sponsored by Jostens, Inc. and created by the Rotary Club of Salem, the Jostens Trophy celebrates student-athletes who exemplify excellence in basketball, academics, and community service.
Carollo, a four-time All-American, has etched her name into the UW-Whitewater women’s basketball record book in numerous categories throughout her career. During her remarkable career, Carollo has become one of the most accomplished players in program history. She was named the 2024-25 WIAC Player of the Year and earned a spot on the All-Defensive Team for the third consecutive year. This season, Carollo set several program records, including career rebounds (a record that had stood for 41 years), career double-doubles, points in a season, season scoring average and three-pointers in a season. Additionally, she broke the conference record for career three-pointers.
Carollo is arguably the best all-around player in UW-Whitewater history as the only Warhawk to record at least 1,500 points, 800 rebounds, 300 assists, 200 steals, and 50 blocks. Her all-around dominance on the court has solidified her as one of the top players in Division III women’s basketball. Carollo’s career numbers are nothing short of astonishing with 1,828 points, 902 rebounds, 371 assists, 226 steals, and 58 blocks.
In addition to her athletic achievements, Carollo excels in the classroom. She holds a 3.9 cumulative GPA as an integrated business and science major, was named Academic All-District by College Sports Communicators last season and earned WIAC Judy Kruckman Scholar Athlete for women’s basketball honors this season. A Chancellor Scholar Athlete, she has appeared on the Dean’s List every semester and the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll throughout her four years at UW-Whitewater.
Beyond basketball and academics, Carollo’s connection to the Whitewater community is deep-rooted. A Whitewater native, she has volunteered throughout her college career, contributing her time to Fairhaven Senior Services, organizing and participating in Hoops 4 Hunger events, and helping run youth basketball camps and clinics. Carollo is also a four-year member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and has completed two internships—one with UW Health Ambulatory Service Department and the other with Qualtrics Insurance Company. Moreover, she is a product of Warhawk women’s basketball, growing up the program with her mother, Keri, who serves and the head coach and her father, Joe, who is an assistant.
A leader through and through, Carollo is a vocal and positive force on the court and was integral to the Warhawks’ success the last four seasons. She was voted a team captain the last three seasons – an honor and testament to the trust and respect her peers have for her as a player and a person.
Carollo is the second Warhawk in as many seasons to be named a finalist for the Jostens Trophy. Aleah Grundahl (DeForest, Wis./DeForest) was the recipient of the award last season.
