Why Wisconsin volleyball's setters perfect Kelly Sheffield's lineup puzzle

Ashburn, a senior setter for the University of Wisconsin volleyball team, is partial to those 1,000-piece puzzles, devoting a good portion of her free time to putting them together.

“I love puzzles,” she said. “I can sit for hours. I can sit for an entire day and do nothing but puzzles and little games and Sudoku. I’m a little nerd.”

Sheffield, on the other hand, tends to labor over human puzzles, the most recent project being the 17-piece brain teaser that is the 2022 version of the Badgers.

As he studied the composition of this year’s team it became increasingly clear that he would have to do some serious rearranging of those pieces. The key would be switching from the traditional 5-1 lineup with one setter to a 6-2 system utilizing two setters — Ashburn and junior MJ Hammill.

While most UW fans pondered which one would take on the substantial challenge of carrying on the setting legacy of Lauren Carlini and Sydney Hilley, Sheffield came to the conclusion that the answer would be both.

To some it may have seemed like a radical idea, considering that the reigning NCAA champions would be trying to repeat by using a system that hadn’t produced a national champ since Southern Cal in 2003.

But when Sheffield looked at the assembled pieces he had to use, he determined that this was the way to make the best use of what he had at his disposal.

“I thought our highest ceiling would be in this system, with this team, with the talent on this team,” Sheffield said. “It’s hard to argue that. It’s fit us.”

Indeed, as the Badgers captured their fourth consecutive Big Ten Conference title with a 19-1 record, ended the regular season ranked No. 2 nationally and earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. They carry a 27-3 record into Thursday’s Sweet 16 match against Big Ten rival Penn State (26-7) at the UW Field House.

Start time announced for Wisconsin volleyball's next NCAA Tourney match

And while there were no All-Big Ten honors coming their way and the Badgers’ string of All-American seasons from setters will end at nine, the combined performance of Ashburn and Hammill is as big a factor as any with the Badgers’ success this season.

When Sheffield looks at his setters he sees many of the same traits of their more celebrated predecessors.

“They just want to win, that’s it,” he said. “Both of them. They just want to win. They are both selfless competitors that care deeply about their teammates and this program and are willing to do whatever it takes.

“They make each other better. They’re pulling for each other. During timeouts they’re coaching each other up. They have each other’s back. And if they don’t, we don’t have the season that we’ve had. If there’s tension between the two of them or if they’re both sabotaging the other one … that’s not either of their personalities. They’ve been a great tandem.”

Stepping up

The ascendance of Ashburn and Hammill to a major role, even if a shared one, was a long time in the making. Although Hammill is a year behind, she actually has been connected to the program longer than Ashburn, having committed to the program as a 13-year-old. Ashburn was more of a late bloomer who was a high school teammate of Hilley.

Wisconsin volleyball coach, players earn regional honors

Ashburn quickly carved out a role as a serving specialist, while she and Hammill shared the setting duties across the net from Hilley in practice every day. They watched, listened and learned as they awaited their opportunity, one that was delayed a year when Hilley stayed for the COVID-19 bonus season.

“Syd has always been that mentor to me,” Hammill said. “Iz and I got to train with Syd for years, Iz for her whole life and me for two years. She just offers so much wisdom. She’s been through five years, not only as a setter but with a lot of success and a lot of grace doing it and also while playing under Kelly. She just offers so much about how to lead. You literally have a four-time All-American a call away.”

Ashburn’s connection with Hilley goes back to Champlin Park High School in Champlin, Minnesota, where she was the setter as a sophomore while Hilley played outside hitter.

“I keep in touch with Syd and her family a lot,” Ashburn said. “Our parents still work together and live near each other and always have that connection and I played with her sister Sami forever. It’s comforting to know somebody who’s gone through what we’re going through.”

While the setting position may have been the biggest question mark for the Badgers heading into the season, Hilley was confident that her proteges would be up to the task.

How a 'baller' worked her way back to give Wisconsin volleyball a boost

“I had no doubt in my mind that when I left that this team was going to be taken care of in the setting position because those two are just the most deserving of that time,” Sydney Hilley said. “I really hope that people realize just how good they are.

“I’m so proud of both of them. I’ve seen the work they’ve put in, I’ve seen how much they care about the team and getting better. They’re always the two that are in the gym the most. They have been ready to pounce once I left to be able to hop on the court and play.

“I also think it was important for both of them to have a big role because they’re both so highly looked up to on the team and they bring so much to the team, on and off the court.”

Switching systems

Although Sheffield had used the 5-1 system through his first nine seasons at UW, he was open to the idea of playing a 6-2 and had used it on occasion earlier in his career.

The key to running a 6-2, he said, is having two capable setters who are mentally strong enough to handle the job share.

But there are other necessary components, like having at least two outside hitters capable of playing six rotations and attacking from the back row, as well as having a second right-side hitter who can be a blocking and attacking asset.

That works for the Badgers, who have two six-rotation outsides in Sarah Franklin and Julia Orzol, with Jade Demps also capable in reserve, and Anna Smrek taking the second right-side spot along with Devyn Robinson, offering a more imposing block than either of the setters would if they played the front row.

“Last spring is when I thought this was what we would end up doing,” Sheffield said. “We’re not trying to reinvent the game. It’s with the talent that we have, how do we maximize that talent? Do I think a 6-2 is better than a 5-1? No. Do I think a 5-1 is better than a 6-2? No.

“I think your talent dictates the direction that you go and you have to have a willingness to go down those directions and not just be system driven. And you’ve got to have the players that are able to buy into whatever it is. You have to paint them the vision of how do we win? That’s something we’ve had meetings about. This is how we win. This is different from how last year’s team won. But this is this team’s strength and this is how we’re going to win. Now let’s go and work on it.”

Wisconsin volleyball targets attendance record at Milwaukee Bucks' home

For the setters, perhaps the biggest challenge is getting used to coming in and out of the lineup.

“The rhythm definitely is different,” said Hammill, who is the second setter. “For me, coming off the bench after warming up, I think early in the year I did a poor job in the preseason. I just had to learn how to deal with being amped up, ready for the game and then you have to wait a little bit till you come in.”

On the plus side, it gives each setter the chance to watch how the opponent is defending things and the two can compare notes during timeouts.

“Also with the 6-2 it gives an opportunity to change the energy every three rotations and change energy for the other side,” Hammill said. “Izzy and I have different tendencies and that’s something that people have to scout and train against.”

Asserting leadership

After serving in support roles earlier in their careers, Ashburn and Hammill were voted captains this year along with veteran middle blocker Danielle Hart.

Hilley, a four-time captain, said their leadership skills are apparent, even as they’re only playing part-time.

Wisconsin's Gulce Guctekin grabs two Big Ten volleyball awards

“I think it’s amazing that even though they’re sharing time, they both are huge leaders on the court and people look to them,” Hilley said. “It’s kind of weird to be that court presence when you’re only in half the time but they do a really good job of splitting it.”

The key is to just be yourself, a point Sheffield stresses with his players.

“There’s a lot of learning that goes on with new leadership, but I don’t think your personality should change too much,” Ashburn said. “Just stay true to who you are. Our personalities along with Danielle just mesh so well together. I don’t think anyone is like, 'I’m a captain now, so now I have to overdo things.' It’s kind of falling into your role and finding your place on the team.”

As the team’s elder stateswoman, Hart has seen the two setters slide seamlessly into leadership roles.

“It’s come naturally to them because they are so team-oriented,” Hart said. “That’s where your best leaders are, they’re in that space. They’re not trying to be anything other than what they are. I’m really proud of them.”

Bonding experience

Ashburn and Hammill have known each other since attending camps at UW during their high school days and their bond has grown stronger through their time as Badgers. That has only intensified this year as they’ve taken on bigger roles.

Why a police officer has started traveling with the Wisconsin volleyball team

For starters, they spend an inordinate amount of time together. They practice twice a day, working with associate head coach Gary White early in the day and then practicing with the team in the afternoon.

“I would say it brought us so close together,” Hammill said. “I would hope that she’d say the same thing. You’re spending a whole extra practice together most of the time and you’re constantly talking to each. So you just have this bond and you’re sharing that load and being the emotional support for each other.”

Rest assured, Ashburn shares Hammill’s perspective.

“This is the closest I’ve ever been with her and it continues to grow,” Ashburn said. “Being a setter comes with a lot of responsibility and sharing that with her has made it feel so much lighter.”

Wisconsin volleyball beats Nebraska to claim fourth straight Big Ten title

Off the court, the two share at least one passion — learning. Both have earned Academic All-Big Ten honors.

Ashburn earned her undergraduate degree in mathematics in May and is working on her master’s in business analytics — “She in there with 30-year-olds,” Hammill said — and will return for her fifth year and complete that degree in December.

Hammill, whose given name is Madison James, is majoring in biomedical engineering — “She’s a smarty,” Ashburn said — and aspires to become a physician’s assistant.

“That is one thing we share in common, we really care about our school,” Hammill said. “We enjoy learning and taking on that hard load.”

As much as they have in common, they do have their differences.

“Puzzles? Absolutely not,” Hammill said. “I get way too frustrated way too quickly. I’d much rather talk and probably get distracted.”

That can be annoying, Ashburn admits, but she’s willing to look beyond that.

“She is the most caring, emotion-filled person I’ve ever met,” Ashburn said of Hammill. “I think that is starting to rub off on me because I am so analytical and to the point and probably too blunt. But I think our personalities do kind of mesh that way because we balance each other out in the way we communicate to each other and show each other different points of view.”