Milwaukee City Wire

Kara Erdmann has been named the Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year, as announced on Thursday. Erdmann, along with Madi Malone, was selected for the All-League First Team. Natalie Schmitz earned a spot on the second team, while Milica Tomic was included in the All-Freshman team.

Erdmann led all Horizon League athletes with 685 digs during the regular season and averaged 5.76 digs per set. In conference matches, her average increased to 6.25 digs per set. Her total digs and average are currently second among all Division I volleyball players, setting a new single-season record for Milwaukee.

Malone has also received postseason honors before and is recognized as one of the top hitters in both league history and Milwaukee's history. She ranked fourth in the league with 378 kills this season and finished with 418.5 total points.

Schmitz completed the regular season with 330 kills, including 202 in league matches. She had an overall average of 2.89 kills per set but improved to 3.42 in league play.

Tomic had a notable first year, earning a place on the All-Freshman Team with an average of 4.41 assists per set, which increased to 7.92 in league matches.

The Horizon League has also issued its Sportsmanship Award for the second year, naming Bella Lipski as a finalist.

Malone achieved All-League honors throughout her four-year career at Milwaukee, while Schmitz earned her first such honor following her selection to the All-Freshman Team in 2022.

Panna Ratkai from Purdue Fort Wayne received Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year honors. The Mastodons' Riley Rosneck was named Freshman of the Year, and Nicole Jones won the Sportsmanship Award.

Milwaukee will compete in postseason play at the Horizon League Championship Semifinals on Saturday evening against Cleveland State, Green Bay, or Purdue Fort Wayne.