UW-Milwaukee tabbed as League volleyball favorite

Aug. 15, 2006

Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader

INDIANAPOLIS -- Preseason polls are often billed as a forecast of the future. If the 2006 Horizon League volleyball coaches' poll is accurate, history would be made this fall.

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee was tabbed as the top choice by seven of the League's eight head coaches, according to the results of the poll announced Tuesday (Aug. 15), If the prediction holds true, the Panthers would become only the second League program to win four consecutive outright regular-season volleyball titles. The University of Notre Dame also achieved the feat with regular-season and tournament titles in 1991-94.

UW-Milwaukee also was the regular-season champion in 1998 and 1999 and shared the crown in 1997 and 2000. while Butler University won outright regular-season championships in 1986, 1988, 1989 and 1990 and shared the 1987 crown.

The Panthers finished 12-2 in the League and 20-9 overall last season, with senior middle blocker Sarah Moore (2.79 kills per game, 1.24 blocks per game in 2005) back to anchor UWM's presence at the net. The team's attack also includes an All-League selection in senior middle hitter Cheryl Hegemann (3.23 kpg., 0.95 bpg.) along with junior setter Leanne Felsing (2.86 kpg, 3.19 digs per game last year).

Regular-season accomplishments haven't ensured tournament success in recent years, however. The top seed has not won the League Championship since 2000, when Loyola University Chicago captured the title. Ironically, the Ramblers were regular-season kingpins in the next two years, only to see UWM win the tournament as the second seed each time. UW-Milwaukee has come up short since then, with (third-seeded) University of Wisconsin-Green Bay winning in 2003 and the Ramblers claiming the last two titles as the third seed in 2004 and the fourth seed last fall.

Loyola and the University of Illinois at Chicago share more than just a Chicago address, as the two intra-city rivals tied for second place in the coaches' poll with 39 points apiece. The Flames (12-19, 8-6 in 2005) received the final first-place vote and welcome back a pair of All-League selections in junior right side Katarina Nedeljkovic (second in the League with 4.32 kpg.) and senior middle hitter Ambria Springer (3.32 kpg., .272 hitting percentage).

Loyola's (13-18, 8-6) roster features the reigning League Championship MVP in senior setter Sarah Elmer (10.56 assists per game) plus senior outside hitter Courtney Ashley, whose rates of 2.22 kills and 2.88 digs per game earned All-League acclaim. Ashley also recorded a loop-best 0.41 service aces per game.

Butler (11-16, 6-8) finished fourth in the coaches' vote with 29 points. Senior middle blocker Krystal Hendrix (1.67 kpg., 0.88 bpg.) leads the Bulldogs into action this year, although BU will have to replace the League's Defensive Player of the Year following the graduation of Megan Knightly.

Cleveland State University edged Wright State University and UW-Green Bay for the fifth spot in the poll, collecting 20 points---one more than WSU and two ahead of the Phoenix. Cleveland State (19-10, 11-3) also has a large hole to fill after the graduation of Player of the Year Nickole Kennedy, entering the 2006 campaign with eight freshmen on the roster. Senior middle hitter Danielle Siefker will be relied upon for veteran leadership this fall. She led the League with her 1.26 blocks-per-game average last season and added 2.72 kills per game, finishing second behind Kennedy with a .294 hitting percentage.

Wright State (12-20, 5-9) returns five starters from last year's Cinderella group that reached the League Championship match as the seventh seed before falling in five games to Loyola. Senior outside hitter Sarah Poling paces the Raiders after receiving All-League honors for her norms of 3.68 kills and 4.11 digs per game a year ago. UW-Green Bay (15-15, 6-8) features All-League setter Betty Slinger, who topped the League charts in assists per game (12.04) as a sophomore last season.

Youngstown State University (7-22, 0-14) rounds out the poll with 11 points. The Penguins won seven of their first ten matches last fall before being beset by injuries. Junior opposite Jessica Fraley was sidelined for most of 2005 with a sports hernia but takes the court again in 2006, re-joining senior outside hitter Cari Leslie to bolster the YSU attack. Fraley averaged 2.97 kills and 2.13 digs per game in 2005, while Leslie contributed 2.95 kills and 3.35 digs per game.

The season opens Friday, August 25, with all eight teams in non-League competition. League play begins Friday, September 22, leading up to the annual League Championship (November 17-19). Wright State's McLin Gymnasium is the setting for this year's loop summit, with the League's automatic entry into the 2006 NCAA Championship on the line.

2006 Horizon League Preseason Volleyball Poll
1. UW-Milwaukee (seven first-place votes) -- 49 points
2. UIC (1) -- 39 points
2. Loyola -- 39 points
4. Butler -- 29 points
5. Cleveland State -- 20 points
6. Wright State-- 19 points
7. UW-Green Bay-- 18 points
8. Youngstown State -- 11 points

NOTE: The League's eight 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.

2005 Horizon League Standings
School -- League * Overall (Championship Result)
1. UW-Milwaukee-- 12-2* 20-9 (lost in semifinal)
2. Cleveland State -- 11-3 * 19-10 (lost in semifinal)
3. UIC -- 8-6 * 12-19 (lost in second round)
3. Loyola -- 8-6 * 13-18 (won championship)
5. UW-Green Bay -- 6-8 * 15-15 (lost in second round)
5. Butler -- 6-8 * 11-16 (lost in first round)
7. Wright State -- 5-9 * 12-20 (runner-up)
8. Youngstown State -- 0-14 * 7-22 *lost in first round)