UW-Milwaukee Ranked First in Horizon League Preseason Volleyball Poll

Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader

Aug. 17, 2005

INDIANAPOLIS -- The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee was voted the favorite in the 2005 Horizon League preseason volleyball poll, the Horizon League announced Wednesday (Aug. 17).

The Panthers entered the 2004 Horizon League championship as the No. 1 seed but fell 3-2 to Cleveland State in the semifinal round. No. 3 Loyola claimed the championship crown and earned the Ramblers an NCAA Tournament berth.

UW-Milwaukee received 49 points in a poll voted on by the League's eight head coaches. The Panthers also garnered seven of a possible seven-first place votes. Butler finished in second place with 38 points. The Bulldogs were followed by Loyola with 37. Cleveland State came in fourth with 31 points, followed by UIC with 26 and UW-Green Bay with 23. Wright State finished in seventh place (12) and Youngstown State rounded out the poll with 8 points.

The Panthers completed the 2004 campaign with a 19-8 overall record and a 13-1 League mark. Head Coach Kathy Litzau's Panthers return 2004 first-team All-League selection Melissa Lange and Newcomer of the Year Leanne Felsing.

This year's League championship will take place Nov. 17-20 in Chicago, Ill..

2005 Horizon League Preseason Volleyball Poll
1. UW-Milwaukee (7)* 49 points
2. Butler 38 points
3. Loyola (1)* 37 points
4. Cleveland State 31 points
5. UIC 26 points
6. UW-Green Bay 23 points
7. Wright State 12 points
8. Youngstown State 8 points

NOTE: The Head Coaches vote in this poll. Teams received seven points for a first place vote, six points for a second place vote, etc. The Head Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own squads.* Indicates the number of first place votes received.