Meet the Badgers volleyball team! (2024)

The University of Wisconsin volleyball team returns five of its six starters who look to improve upon an Elite Eight finish last season.

Here’s a position-by-position breakdown for the Badgers, who added an All-American and all-conference transfer to the mix.

Setter

Breakdown

Wisconsin will continue to run a 6-2 system this season, utilizing a rotation of two setters within one single set. Both Izzy Ashburn and MJ Hammill, who Badgers coach Kelly Sheffield said won't use her extra year of eligibility due to COVID-19, have a year of the full-go system under their belts, combining to appear in all but one of the matches from last season.

Breakout potential: Last year, Ashburn and Hammill didn’t have much experience entering a system that would rely heavily on both of them. That changes this year, and with each in their final years, they’re two of the most important players on the Badgers. Their play can determine how strong of a season they have.

The number: 1,198 — the combined assist total of Ashburn and Hammill last year. Neither will rank high on the Big Ten rankings for assists due to their split workload, but Ashburn’s 713 and Hammill’s 485 combined to fall just 137 short of Penn State’s Seleisa Elisaia, who led the conference with 1,335.

Outside hitter

Breakdown

The Badgers already had a strong group of hitters last year, but after adding Northwestern transfer Temi Thomas-Ailara, who has player of the year potential, Wisconsin is in perhaps as strong a position as ever. Sarah Franklin is also coming off of a career year. It will be worth watching how the Badgers handle getting Julia Orzol time on the floor — the third of Wisconsin’s six-rotation outside hitters in a system that only can carry two.

Breakout potential: Thomas-Ailara was second in the Big Ten in kills last year (502) and will play six rotations once again. She could be the team’s best player and maybe even the best player in the conference if she performs to the level or greater than she did last season.

The number: 542.5 — the total number of points Thomas-Ailara accounted for last season, which ranked second in the Big Ten.

Middle blocker/Right side hitter

Breakdown

With another Big Ten transfer in Carter Booth, who came from Minnesota, the Badgers could have one of the more dangerous blocks in the country. Anna Smrek and Booth create an imposing duo, especially on rotations that require them to play some points alongside each other. Their consistency will be important, something that’s never been a problem for Devyn Robinson, who has been a mainstay on the right side each of the last three years. Caroline Crawford will get solid run, too, rotating in at both spots.

Breakout potential: Among all the returners, Smrek tied for the lead in hitting percentage last year with Robinson. Sheffield said the junior’s potential could make her among the greats to play the position.

The number: 290 — the amount of sets Devyn Robinson has played in her career. She has the most experience of the hitters in a Badgers uniform and still has two years left, as she said she plans to use her fifth year of eligibility due to COVID-19.

Libero/defensive specialist

Breakdown

Maybe the most interesting position on the Badgers got more interesting at Wisconsin’s exhibition match against UIC Saturday. The first libero on the court was Orzol, with last year’s starter Gulce Guctekin starting the second set. Orzol was second on the Badgers in digs per set last year (2.37) behind Guctekin (3.95) and looked comfortable in that role. But so did Guctekin, who showed her talent with a few diving digs and a practice bicycle kick. It’s possible both could be worked into the team’s plans this year.

Breakout potential: Last season was a difficult adjustment for Guctekin, Sheffield said. She was thrown in immediately as Wisconsin’s starting libero in her first experience with playing volleyball in the United States. Though Orzol’s potential inclusion makes things interesting, Guctekin has more to show than the 415 digs she provided last year.

The number: 33 — the amount of service aces Guctekin had last year, her first year serving regularly. Liberos don’t serve in international matches, but Guctekin was third on the Badgers last year.