Sarah Franklin's impact, Devyn Robinson's growth and four more storylines to watch with Wisconsin volleyball this season

Will Izzy Ashburn or MJ Hammill get the nod at setter?

For the first time in six years the Badgers are looking for a setter.

How will coach Kelly Sheffield fill the void left by Sydney Hilley’s graduation? The easy answer is that either senior Izzy Ashburn or junior MJ Hammill, the only setters on the roster, will take over the role. How that will look is the question. Sheffield is keeping his plan under wraps until game time.

“We could switch them up throughout the course of the season if we wanted to. We could stick with one if we wanted to,” he said. “The good thing is there isn’t a huge difference between the two. It allows our hitters to get really comfortable.”

How quickly can UW cook up chemistry?

In addition to the situation at setter, there are six new players on the team. Sophomore outside hitter Sarah Franklin (Michigan State), junior middle blocker Caroline Crawford (Kansas) and freshman libero Gulce Guctekin will be counted on to contribute immediately.

The team must quickly develop a rapport as UW doesn't have the luxury of easing into the season. Its faces an opponent that is either ranked or receiving votes in the American Volleyball Coaches Association preseason coaches rankings during each weekend leading into Big Ten play: No. 16 Baylor on Saturday, No. 11 Kentucky Sept. 9 and No. 15 Florida Sept. 16 at the Kohl Center.

More: Wisconsin volleyball's Anna Smrek is ready to build on the fantastic finish to her freshman season

How big will Sarah Franklin's impact be?

One reason UW is expected to continue to excel despite significant personnel losses from its national championship team is the addition of Franklin.

The former Michigan State standout was a first-team all-Big Ten selection as a redshirt freshman last season. The 6-4 outside hitter can play all six rotations and has been with the team since February.  She has had plenty of time to get acclimated. Look for her to enjoy a smooth transition

Can freshman Gulce Guctekin anchor the defense?

Gulce Guctekin of Istanbul, Turkey, has been in the country for just a couple of weeks, but she could be the team’s answer at libero.

She starred on multiple junior national teams in Turkey and during the Badgers’ scrimmage Saturday showed flashes of a high level of play that could help the team get over the graduation loss of Lauren Barnes.

How much will Devyn Robinson's game ascend?

Franklin and sophomore Anna Smrek aren't the only players poised for big seasons. So too is Robinson.

Last season the junior middle blocker/right-side hitter doubled her swings from her freshman season to her sophomore year. The number of chances she gets should continue to grow.

“Her work rate is different than it has been and it should. She’s going into Year 3 here,” Sheffield said. “I see a player who is working and throughout a rally she is working hard to get off the net, she’s working hard to get available. We lean on her a lot.”

Seven Big Ten teams are ranked in the top 20. Can the Badgers win their fourth straight conference title?

Earlier this month the Badgers were voted the favorite to win the Big Ten in a poll of conference coaches.

Key to the team's run at a fourth straight league title will be the final week of October, when Wisconsin faces its toughest challenges for the crown: top-ranked Nebraska on Oct. 26 and No. 5 Minnesota on Oct. 29. A sellout crowd will be on hand each night to see if UW can protect its home court.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Six storylines to follow for Wisconsin volleyball this season.